TICO enchants with Schubert’s Symphony No. 9

By Eileen Wingard

Eileen Wingard
Eileen Wingard

SAN DIEGO — The triumphal theme in the horns ushered in the opening concert of the Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra’s 41st season.  Schubert’s Symphony #9, a gratifying work to perform and a pleasurable one for the audience to experience, came forth in all its beauty. The horns, led by Sandra Petersen, sounded secure and mellow in their prominent role throughout the first movement.

Oboist Ron Fox, formerly of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, played the expressive solo in the slow movement with warmth and finesse.

Clarinetist Joseph Stein, flutist Steve Hardy and  the strings held their own, making this Schubert symphony one of the most satisfying TICO performances in memory, and this is a work which musicians in Schubert’s day found unplayable. It was not until Felix Mendelssohn performed it with his Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra that it got its premiere, and that was after Schubert’s death at age 31.

The second half of the concert was not as rewarding, musically, although, on a human level, it was heartwarming. Haim Tsur, the 76-year-old blind violinist from Jerusalem performed Beethoven’s Romance #2 and Mozart’s Violin Concerto #5. There were glimpses of the violinist he once was, a sweet tone and lyrical musicality, but much of the performance indicated that he was past his prime. However, the orchestra, under David Amos’ firm direction, soldiered on, playing the tutti passages with style, adjusting to the soloist when necessary, and getting through it all in a professional manner.

Tsur’s wife was vice-mayor of Jerusalem and spoke briefly about environmental projects she heads to beautify that city.

Haim Tsur was not only a performing musician, but a composer and served as director of music and folklore for Kol Yisroel, the Israeli broadcasting company.

TICO concerts are one of East San Diego’s special offerings. At minimal cost, one can listen to a symphony orchestra up close and hear enlightening introductions from conductor, David Amos.

The next TICO concert, on Sunday, January 25 at 3:00 p.m. and on Tuesday evening, January 27 at 7:30 p.m. will feature violinist, Uri Pianka. He will be playing Mozart’s Violin Concerto #4. Pianka is a former concertmaster of the Israeli Philharmonic and the Houston Symphony. The orchestra will also be performing works by Dvorak and Tchaikowsky.

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Wingard is a retired violinist with the San Diego Symphony and a freelance writer who specializes in coverage of the arts.  She may be contacted via eileen.wingard@sdjewishworld.com