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The
San Diego Chamber Orchestra
By
David Amos
All
of us can look forward with great anticipation to the next season of the San
Diego Chamber Orchestra. Under the guidance of its newly appointed artistic
director and conductor, Jung-Ho Pak and starting with the season-opening night
on Oct. 6, you will immediately notice positive and major changes in this fine
ensemble.
Personally,
I am pleased to have Jung-Ho Pak again in our midst. During his years of
leadership of the San Diego Symphony, the orchestra consistently showed signs of
improvement and above all, provocative and innovative programming. This is one
of Pak’s strengths, to find a new and refreshing approach to orchestral
concerts, to provoke the audience to explore music it has not heard before, or
to give familiar music a fresh perspective, which is as if we are delighted to
see an old friend once again.
All
of us are quite aware of the trouble in which classical music finds itself. Even
the big, established iconic orchestras of the East Coast and Midwest, which we
assume to be rocks of financial stability, are losing subscribers and are
cutting down on their seasons in order to balance deficits. The sad reality is
that some of them may cease to operate within a decade. Classical music is
expensive to maintain, and the funding required is more and more difficult to
raise.
Part
of this is due to the appalling lack of music education in our schools. This
translates to a new generation of parents who do not have a particular love for
classical music (after all, they were never exposed to it), and this
indifference is transmitted to their children, who grow up to be
non-participants and contributors to classical music.
The
other part of this problem can be blamed directly on the orchestras and the way
they are operated, both artistically and administratively. Maybe it is hard for
you and me, fervent music lovers, to notice. But, step out of the picture for a
minute and visualize: A group of affluent people, mostly middle aged and
seniors, somberly dressed, walking in to an auditorium to hear an orchestra on
stage, dressed in black, playing incomprehensible music, many times with no
energy or apparent enthusiasm. For this joyous experience, we pay a lot of money
for the tickets, sit in a narrow seat, understand nothing, and are told that it
is good for us!
What
is wrong with this picture?
I
can personally attest to the above. I have heard world famous ensembles and
soloists play in an appallingly dull manner, end the program with music that is
loud and fast, and the audience is enthralled. But, play this scenario to
younger persons who have not been indoctrinated about the virtues of a
particular soloist and/or orchestra, and they will find the experience quite
unsatisfying, much to our surprise. They will not buy it, and probably will not
return for another concert. There is a clear message here, which we can not
afford to ignore.
This
is what Jung-Ho Pak wants to address and modify: To have the musicians and the
audience share a human experience and to touch souls. He hopes that the San
Diego Chamber Orchestra can serve a different function, to be a role model for
others through the conveyance of enthusiasm and joy. To not just play classical
music for an audience, but to give beautiful music that will be remembered and
savored.
But,
this has to start with the musicians on stage. Sometimes you find this sort of
crackling energy in orchestral musicians of amateur status: They love so much
what they are playing that this energy is contagious, and appreciated by the
listeners. But, unfortunately, many professional musicians have lost this spark
and play correctly, but very routinely. In the trade, we call them “musical
clerks.”
And
tragically, many of us, the experienced concertgoers, have become accustomed to
accept it and not hear the difference.
Maestro
Pak is planning to combine the fine musicianship of his professionals in the
SDCO, fusing it with the elements of intimacy, style, beauty, emotion, and
enthusiasm for their art form. He will drive the message to his colleagues that
“it is your job to be inspiring.” You will notice this from the first
moment the musicians and conductor take the stage: Different way of entering,
different outfits, different approach to the music.
I
find this refreshing, and look forward to the upcoming season of the SDCO. Maybe
this concept could serve as a model for other groups, and initiate a trend
toward the revival of classical and orchestral music, where it is not limited to
the consumption of a privileged few (and becoming fewer), but, as part of life
of a much greater segment of our population.
Call
the San Diego Chamber Orchestra at 858-350-0290, in order to receive by mail
their new 2006-2007 season brochure, where the spirit of this column will be
obvious to you. Their staff is ready to respond to your questions.
As
the brochure states: “Your life is filled with beauty…a rose garden, a
child’s smile, a favorite painting. It’s about being inspired and enjoying
life with all your senses.”