
The greatest Q in San Diego is Sorrento Valley’s Irwin M. Jacobs Qualcomm Hall. If ever there was a doubt, Orchestra Nova silenced it Saturday, Sept. 19 by playing the initial concert in the 2009-2010 Qualcomm Hall series. It’s a new name and a new venue for the musical group formerly known as San Diego Chamber Orchestra, which presents two additional series of identical concerts at La Jolla’s Sherwood Auditorium and downtown’s St. Paul’s Cathedral. Upon entering the auditorium, the concertgoer encountered Maestro Jung-Ho Pak, who exclaimed, “We love this hall beyond words!” Pak and Nova then proceeded to demonstrate why in the program titled “The Many Faces of Mozart.” The program might as well have been titled “Mozart’s Greatest Hits.” Lovely young violinist Lindsay Deutsch, who first encountered Pak when she was 10 years old, played the Violin Concerto No. 3, a marvel of melody and a grand showcase for her talents. She played the first movement, Allegro, with a heavy bow as if to impress with the size of her tone and prowess. The resulting lack of overtones dismayed, but she settled down once the orchestra started the Adagio with a breathtaking ensemble and beauteous tone. She seemed then to purposely hold back on the tempo and thenceforth played with a singing lyricism and all that implies. Following her stunning cadenza, Pak reestablished the tempo, and Deutsch returned to the movement’s main theme with a mere thread of beauteous tone. Nova’s playing of Three German Dances was visually enhanced by the appearance of Mozart himself—Pak in full period regalia of brocade jacket and a lacy long-sleeve shirt. He talked of Mozart’s wild “classical rave parties.” Costumed dancers choreographed by Bonnie Johnston and Liz Shipman demonstrated the minuet styles. The concert closed with an extraordinary reading of Mozart’s melodious, forward-looking Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, which Pak conducted from memory. One particularly relished the precious inner sections of the Allegro Vivace, the excellent horns and woodwinds, the passionate and joyous playing of the string sections, and the exhilarating contrasts and tempos within phrases. Qualcomm is a fine hall for an orchestra with a new name and assurance and competency that grow ever more apparent. Orchestra Nova next presents “Flying Solo” with pianist Norman Krieger at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21 at St. Paul’s, at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 at Qualcomm Hall, and at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26 at Sherwood Auditorium. The program comprises Mozart’s Divertimento in D major, Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No 14 (“Moonlight”), and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3. For additional details and tickets, visit www.orchestranova.org or call (858) 350-0290.