Symphony hailed back home

By Vincent Andrunas, Special to the U-T 6 a.m.Jan. 26, 2014

(From left) Jim and Andie Kidrick (hes San Diego Air & Space Museum president and CEO), George and Hlne Gould (honorees and event chairs), Joan and Irwin Jacobs

The Symphony had returned, and it was time for a celebration. The San Diego Symphony completed a wildly successful tour as 2013 drew to a close. After first playing New Yorks Carnegie Hall, they embarked on their China Friendship Tour, with performances in Yentai, Shanghai and Beijing. They played to sold-out houses and were very warmly received. Accommodations and dining were said to be excellent, and members fondly recalled such tour highlights as their first dinner in China (a fabulous 17-course affair).

Meanwhile, back home at the Jacobs Music Center (the building that surrounds and contains Copley Symphony Hall), there was plenty of work going on. Extensive remodeling and facility improvement projects have now been completed, beautifying and enhancing the lobby, the backstage area and even the restrooms.

The latest accomplishment debuted Jan. 11 at the Symphonys Tour Return Celebration. The festive occasion began with cocktails in the Centers upper lobby. A large room there had long been utilized for board meetings and similar gatherings, and as a place for donors and supporters to meet during concert intermissions. But its entry was narrow and inconvenient, and the dated room hadnt been redecorated for three decades. Something had to be done.

Hlne and George Gould gave $1 million to the symphonys Centennial Campaign (chaired by Warren Kessler, with honorary chairs Joan and Irwin Jacobs), and Hlne also helped with the new design and dcor for the donor room. A double-door entry not requiring stairs was added, the recessed ceiling was redesigned and beautified, and innovative new window coverings were installed. There are now new chandeliers, carpeting and updated paint colors, and the latest video screens and audio equipment. A bar and adjacent kitchen have been added. A brass plaque identifies the new state-of-the-art space as the Hlne and George Gould Room.

During the reception, CEO Edward Gill welcomed guests and spoke of the great support and patronage San Diegans have been giving the Symphony, and the wonderful improvements that have been accomplished throughout the Music Center. The Goulds each spoke briefly before Hlne, wielding giant scissors, and cut the big red ribbon, officially opening the new room. Guests streamed in, abuzz with raves and compliments.

About 50 guests were seated for the intimate inaugural event. Dinner featured walnut butternut salad with burrata, Brandt beef short ribs with Zinfandel demi-glace, and a Valrhona extra noir chocolate tart. The rooms giant video panel continuously presented spectacular photographs from the Carnegie trip (including Irwin Jacobs 80th birthday party) and the China tour.

Maestro Jahja Ling, Symphony music director, conducted the evenings concert. Works by Respighi and Hindemith made up the first half, after which event guests revisited the new room during intermission for sweets and libations. The second half offered Beethovens familiar Violin Concerto in D Minor, played by one of the worlds most talented and celebrated violinists, Itzhak Perlman.

Now 68, the Israeli-born Perlman contracted polio at the age of 4. He struggled onto the stage on crutches, receiving his Stradivarius from Symphony Concertmaster Jeff Thayer and an immediate standing ovation from the packed house. His virtuoso performance absolutely enthralled the audience.

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Symphony hailed back home