CLASSICAL MUSIC : S.D. Symphony Trumpets Return of Principal Player

It is no surprise that some of the more ambitious members of the San Diego Symphony regularly audition for positions in more prestigious--and better paying--orchestras. But it is a surprise when one of these musicians returns to the fold.

As an example of the former, principal bass Oscar Meza joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic shortly after the current symphony season opened in October, following in the footsteps of his predecessor Peter Rofe, who had also won a secure place in the Philharmonic’s bass section. Eric Kim, the promising principal cello of two seasons back, won a principal chair with the Cincinnati Symphony after a single season in San Diego.

San Diego Symphony principal trumpet Calvin Price, however, is the surprise. After playing a year with the Philadelphia Orchestra, he discovered that the grass was actually greener in drought-plagued San Diego. With no serious regrets, he returned this season to his former first trumpet post with the local orchestra, where he will solo Jan. 3 in Jiri Neruda’s Trumpet Concerto. Guest conductor Heiichiro Ohyama will direct the San Diego Symphony’s Classically Baroque series concert.

“It was a difficult decision to leave San Diego in the first place,” Price explained. “But it had been a real dream of mine to play in the Philadelphia Orchestra, being from the Philadelphia area. I had studied with Philadelphia’s first trumpet player, Frank Kaderabek, and we had become great friends.”

Besides the prestige of playing with the Philadelphia Orchestra, it should be noted that Philadelphia pays its entry-level players $50,000-plus a year, more than twice the salary of a comparable San Diego Symphony musician. But for Price, the main difficulty in staying with Philadelphia was playing second trumpet.

“I don’t feel real comfortable as the second trumpet. I had no problems playing with any of the guys in the section, and I had received my tenure from (music director Riccardo) Muti.”

Because of gnawing doubts about remaining with Philadelphia, Price sounded out San Diego Symphony executive director Wesley Brustad in January about returning here.

“Fortunately, the orchestra had given me a year’s leave of absence. In spite of all the benefits, the recordings, and the salary, my wife and I decided we would return to San Diego.”

Once Price negotiated his return, he persuaded symphony planners to substitute the little-known Neruda Trumpet Concerto for the originally scheduled--and frequently performed--Haydn Trumpet Concerto in the January concert. (Neruda was an early 18th-Century Czech composer who worked in the Dresden court.)

“The style of the Neruda concerto is elegant, rather like the Haydn piece, only a little more exciting than the Haydn. Maybe it’s because it’s a breath of fresh air to me--I’ve been performing the Haydn since I was in the seventh grade.”

After Price’s year of absence, he is pleased to find the San Diego Symphony players’ morale high.

“There is a real sense of working together that music director Yoav Talmi has inspired. He wants us to challenge ourselves and the principals to challenge one another. He has a vision for the orchestra, and I think the players are responding well.”

Comparing the Philadelphia Orchestra and the San Diego Symphony from a player’s viewpoint, Price noted a higher level of consultation among the principal players here, while the Philadelphia players stressed unanimity within each section of the orchestra.

“There’s a consensus we’re working on here that is very different. I like this work situation because it builds more of a feeling of camaraderie.”

Sounds of the Season. The Rinaldi String Quartet flooded the Symphony Tower lobby with its lush arrangements of traditional carols last Tuesday. The midday concert was part of the building’s weeklong series of free holiday concerts. Assisted by harpist Marian Hays, the well-tuned local ensemble provided a sophisticated musical atmosphere appropriate to the lobby that serves as the Symphony Hall entry.

Rinaldi members include violinists Anna and Steve Ball, violist Karen Elaine and cellist Jennifer Holson. Rinaldi’s recording of its seasonal repertory “Classic Christmas” might make an appropriate stocking-stuffer for the music lover on anyone’s Christmas list. Both outlets of Tower Records carry the recording.

From the top. There are opera previews, and then there are opera previews. But the opportunity to hear San Diego Opera general director Ian Campbell explain the intricacies of Mozart’s opera buffa “Cosi Fan Tutte” is clearly a cut above the average then-the-soprano-sings-her-lovely-aria lecture. Campbell will offer his insights on his company’s season-opening opera at 8 p.m. Jan. 4 at the Carlsbad Cultural Arts Center.

His lecture will be illustrated by mezzo-soprano Anita Colet and baritone William Nolan. Information about Campbell’s talk and the rest of the series “Art Is Life Plus” is available from the Carlsbad Arts Office (434-2920).

Ivory and ebony. Pianist Bryan Verhoye will play a benefit recital at Point Loma High School, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. A native San Diegan and graduate of Point Loma High, Verhoye has won numerous awards, including first prize at the 1989 Carmel Music Society Piano Competition, and grand prize at the 1986 Joseph Fisch Competition. Verhoye’s program will include works by Beethoven, Rachmaninoff and Bartok. Proceeds from the concert will help pay for the recently acquired grand piano in the school’s performing arts center. Tickets are available through the school or by calling 223-3121, Ext. 218.