Temianka to Quit Chamber Music Series

Henri Temianka, 83, has announced he will step down as artistic director of the Croissants & Coffee & Chamber Music series at the Mark Taper Forum of the Music Center. The four-concert, Sunday-morning series closes its 11th season Dec. 9.

The veteran violinist, impresario, conductor, author, letter-writer and musical gadfly--founder of the Paganini Quartet in 1946 and the California Chamber Symphony Society in 1960, among other organizations--made his announcement Sunday morning at the latest concert in the series:

“In relinquishing my administrative duties, I am really celebrating my 50 years of musical residence in this city. It makes sense to do this now, because it has been exactly half a century since my first appearance here as a resident.”

On Thursday, Temianka declined to elaborate on his present plans. He said he hopes the series will continue without him, but has decided not to remain the chief organizer and grant-seeker.

“Now,” Temianka said, “I would like to devote myself to activities appropriate at this stage in my career . . . to writing, perhaps, and to a summing-up.

Declining to name all his projects, the former “arts advocate and activist,” as he refers to himself, indicated that he might be putting together his remembrances--”putting a conclusion on things that still remain to be done.” He also said he would continue to lecture, conduct and play the violin.

Paris Pastry has been providing 700 croissants for the Mark Taper series at wholesale cost for the past five years. Dominique Lobjois, whose parents own the Paris Pastry, said from the Brentwood outlet: “I hope it doesn’t end. I’d like to go some day. It’s kind of sad to lose a customer for that many years. I wish I had known about the series. I’d have gone.