CLASSICAL MUSIC / KENNETH HERMAN : Composer’s Suite Could Prove to Be Sweet Music for the Loons

From Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” to Debussy’s “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun,” composers have turned to nature for inspiration. Solana Beach composer Paul Sims hopes to return the favor and benefit nature with a recording of two of his nature-inspired works.

Sims’ “Suite for the Loon” and “Hurricane Suite” were recorded earlier this month by the New Hampshire Music Festival Orchestra under music director Thomas Nee. Proceeds from the sale of the cassette tape will benefit the New Hampshire-based Loon Preservation Committee.

Sims explained that his loon-inspired composition came to fruition because of encouragement from Nee, who is music director of the La Jolla Symphony and a recently retired member of the UC San Diego music faculty. Nee has also served as the New Hampshire Music Festival’s artistic director for the last 32 seasons.

“I started composing the suite in 1988,” Sims said, “and in April of 1991, Tom Nee and the La Jolla Symphony gave the work a read-through at UCSD. Tom gave me the encouragement to finish the piece and arranged to have it recorded at the New Hampshire Music Festival.”

A native New Englander, Sims became interested in these large aquatic birds after viewing the film “On Golden Pond.” Loons are closely associated with New England, but they are not regularly found in Southern California. Sims has observed, however, a modest population of loons feeding in Mission Bay during their winter migration.

“The loon is an endangered species, but it is not suffering numerical decline. Actually, over the last 15 years, the loon population in North America has risen slightly, largely due to the efforts of the Loon Preservation Committee.”

Sims’ 20-minute orchestral suite uses actual loon calls recorded on a sampler and integrated into the composition. He described the suite’s musical style as a combination of modern chord progressions and a traditional, classical architecture.

A retired naval officer and advertising executive, Sims’ musical efforts have been largely avocational. He has composed a small body of sacred music, including motets a Latin Mass that was premiered by the choir of the San Diego Mission de Alcala.

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Dutch treat. In its 1992-93 season, the San Diego Early Music Society will bring to the city two noted Dutch ensembles, including the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra under virtuoso harpsichordist Ton Koopman. At the University of San Diego’s Shiley Theatre on Oct. 12, Koopman will lead the well-recorded period instrument ensemble in a concert of Bach, Handel, Mozart and Rameau. The Dutch vocal ensemble Cappella Pratensis will perform a program of works by the Flemish Renaissance master Josquin des Prez on Oct. 30 at St. James Episcopal Church in La Jolla.

The series continues Nov. 14 at the La Jolla church with a concert by the British group Fretwork, which specializes in Renaissance secular court music by composers such as Byrd, Holborne, Dowland and Purcell. On Feb. 5, 1993, the San Francisco-based instrumental quartet La Francoise will play French Baroque compositions by Couperin, Marais and Rameau. Renowned English soprano Emma Kirkby will give a Baroque recital accompanied by lutanist Anthony Rooley on March 6 at St. James Church. Calliope, a lively New York-based Renaissance band, will bring the series to a close May 7 at the La Jolla church. For season subscription information, phone 291-8246.

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Behind the scenes. To learn how the musicians of La Jolla SummerFest prepare their concerts, the festival is offering a free open rehearsal Sunday from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at Sherwood Auditorium. From 10:30 a.m. until noon, Ludwig Spohr’s F Major Nonet will be rehearsed. From 12:30-1 p.m., SummerFest players Allan Vogel, David Shifrin and Carol Wincenc will take questions from the audience. And, from 1:30-3 p.m., Brahms’ G Major String Quintet will be rehearsed. Both works will be performed at 7 p.m. Sunday in the festival’s final musical offering.

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New kid on the block. Joel Keller became executive director of the San Diego Chamber Orchestra on Aug. 10. Keller, who was general manager of South Carolina’s Greenville Symphony before coming to San Diego, replaces Tamra Saylor.

Keller said he sees his task as twofold: to reorganize the SDCO’s administration and to arrange run-out concerts and tours for the orchestra.

Saylor, part of the local chamber orchestra’s management since its beginnings in 1984, left her post to work for Koch International Recordings.

The 1992-93 season, under the leadership of music director Donald Barra, begins Oct. 29 with a concert by baritone Sherrill Milnes at the Heritage Hills Country Club, Rancho Santa Fe.

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Sidlin returns. Murry Sidlin, resident conductor of the San Diego Symphony’s successful Classical hits series, returns to the podium of the SummerPops from Sept. 2-5 to conduct the traditional Tchaikovsky salute. Sidlin’s program includes excerpts from the ballets “Swan Lake” and “The Nutcracker,” as well as movements from the “Pathetique” Symphony and the First Piano Concerto with soloist Seung-Un Ha.