Symphony Press Binder Oct-Sept by San Diego Symphony

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MAYOR BACKS STADIUM MEASURE

Faulconer’s endorsement of Chargers’ ballot initiative Measure C follows negotiation of financial safeguards, other concessions from team BY DAVID GARRICK

Mayor Kevin Faulconer is endorsing the Chargers stadium ballot measure after reaching agreement with the team on a series of new financial safeguards and other concessions. Support from Faulconer, who was easily re-elected in June and has strong ties to the local business community and other powerful interests, could boost the measure’s chances of success on Nov. 8.

And if the measure fails, the working relationship forged between Faulconer and team officials during months of negotiations on the concessions could help the city and the Chargers quickly begin work on finding another stadium solution. “This is about working toward common goals that will get solutions for the public good,” said Faulconer, whose relationship has been strained with the Chargers since they tried to move to Los An-

geles last year and abruptly ended stadium negotiations with him. “We put aside differences to find common ground.” The Chargers have agreed to eight concessions that Faulconer said significantly strengthen the team’s initiative, which will appear on the ballot as Measure C. The measure would raise San Diego’s hotel taxes from 12.5 percent to 16.5 percent to help pay for a combined downtown stadium and convention center annex next to

Petco Park. The concessions include the team agreeing to cover any escalation in construction or land costs beyond current estimates, guaranteeing that city general fund money will never be used for the project and promising that money for tourism marketing will stay at its current level. The team also agrees to: • Give the city all revenue from non-NFL events at the new stadium.

• Commit to staying in San Diego until the initial debt on the project is fully paid off. • Reimburse the city for all preliminary costs if the team leaves San Diego before construction begins. • Replace parking the Padres would lose in Tailgate Park, which is part of the site where the project would be built. • Address quality-of-life concerns raised by downtown groups SEE STADIUM • A8

TRUMP’S ALLIES DEFEND HIM ON TAXES Giuliani says billionaire’s handling of $916M loss shows he’s a ‘genius’ BY MAGGIE HABERMAN & NICHOLAS FANDOS

PEGGY PEATTIE U-T

Joyce Harper sings “Amazing Grace” with the congregation at Meridian Baptist Church in El Cajon on Sunday. Churches throughout East County discussed issues relating to the fatal police shooting of Alfred Olango in El Cajon.

PASTORS URGE UNITY IN EL CAJON East County religious leaders read joint declaration to congregations on police killing of Alfred Olango BY LYNDSAY WINKLEY

Pastors across East County read a statement to their congregations over the weekend calling for unity and transformation after the fatal police shooting of Alfred Olango less than a week ago. The Rev. Rolland Slade, lead pastor of Meridian Baptist Church in El Cajon, said 25 pastors who are part of the East County Pastors Prayer Network agreed to read the declaration during their weekend services.

STUDY: GENETIC SCORE PREDICTS AGE-RELATED ALZHEIMER’S

The statement acknowledged the tragic killing of Olango, a 38year-old Ugandan refugee, had left the community shaken, and it stressed the importance of truth and transparency in the aftermath of his death. But even as community members grapple with their grief, they must come together, Slade said, if they have any hope of creating lasting change. “We’ve lost the art of listening,” he said. “We’ve lost the art of listening to one another, and be-

cause of that we’re fearful of one another in certain situations and circumstances. We need to listen again.” Olango’s sister called police Tuesday about Olango, who was distressed over the the death of his best friend. He didn’t immediately comply with officers who arrived, and after pulling an object from his pocket and aiming it at them, he was fatally shot by Officer Richard Gonsalves. Officers thought the object was a gun. It was actually a vaping

device. Video of the incident was released by the District Attorney’s Office Friday. The death sparked days of mostly peaceful protests around the county. On Saturday, the fifth day of demonstrations, 17 people were arrested, most of whom refused to vacate the area after officers declared an unlawful assembly. El Cajon police Lt. Rob Ransweiler said officers shut the protest of about 300 people down afSEE PASTORS • A9

GIVING IT AWAY

Saints

Donald Trump and his allies worked Sunday to move beyond the revelation that he might have been able to legally avoid nearly two decades of federal income taxation, which has put new pressure on the candidate just as he tries to recover from a lackluster debate performance. Trump’s campaign lurched between refusing to acknowledge that the 1995 tax records, portions of which were published on Saturday night by The New York Times, were bona fide, to insisting that his not having paid taxes was evidence of his unrivaled business prowess. The Times report, published late Saturday and based on documents obtained by the newspaper, showed that Trump, the Republican nominee, declared a $916 million loss on his 1995 income tax returns, which could have allowed him to legally avoid paying any federal income taxes for up to 18 years. At a rally in Lancaster County, Pa., that began shortly before the article was published, Trump seemed jarred by the pending revelation, shifting from topic to topic; mocking his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, for having had pneumonia; and insinuating that she might have cheated on her husband. SEE CAMPAIGN • A4

MARINES WEIGH RETIREMENT OF ‘THE FEW, THE PROUD’ SLOGAN

Chargers

BY JEANETTE STEELE

BY BRADLEY J. FIKES Alzheimer’s disease was once unique among illnesses in that a definitive diagnosis could be made only after death. Symptoms of the devastating assault on the brain could be seen from the outside, but those external signs also could be associated with other types of dementia. Opening up the skull reveals the telltale signs: A shriveled brain with expanded, fluid-filled spaces called ventricles. On a microscopic scale, the wreckage can be observed postmortem with even more specificity. In the past decade, diagnosis of Alzheimer’s while a patient is still living has cleared up considerably. Doctors can safely detect amyloid and tau deposits, telltale signs of the disease, in the living brain. When combined with cognitive tests, confirmation of the affliction SEE DIAGNOSIS • A6

COM I N G TH I S W EEK

K.C. ALFRED U-T

D 1 • Wide receiver Travis Benjamin fumbles in the fourth quarter while being defended by Saints cornerback

Sterling Moore in Sunday’s game in Qualcomm Stadium. With the loss, the Chargers fell to 1-3 on the season.

WEDNESDAY

FOOD: Branch out with fall’s bounty of apple varieties.

THURSDAY

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FRIDAY

NIGHT+DAY: Fans come first for country duo Florida Georgia Line.

TO DAY ’S D E A L

The Marine Corps may replace its iconic slogan “The Few. The Proud. The Marines.” The service is putting together a new advertising campaign that could include a tagline to succeed the current one, which has been used on and off since 1976. Here’s the apparent problem with the longtime slogan: It doesn’t explain what the Marines actually do, which is fight. “(We) examined the existing tagline and felt that it did an excellent job describing who we are, but it didn’t go further and state what it is that we do,” said Lt. Col. John Caldwell, spokesman for the Marine Corps Recruiting Command. “As we look at the new materials that we have designed and are getting ready to produce, it’s not necessarily the best way to end those SEE MARINES • A9

SUNDAY

WEEKEND: Review of new film “The Birth of a Nation.”

ARTS: Previewing San Diego Symphony’s new season.

U -T I N D E X Lottery

Inside B section: Editorials

Letters

Obituaries

Television

A10

Inside C section: Comics

Markets

Stocks

Weather

A11

Inside F section: Crossword

Dear Abby

Horoscope

The San Diego Union Tribune 10/09/2016

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SECTION E

SUNDAY • OCTOBER 9, 2016

C O N C E R T P I T C H San Diego Symphony makes an overture to all with a diverse 2016-17 season

HOWARD LIPIN U-T

Yumi Cho plays violin for the San Diego Symphony. For more on Cho and other members of the orchestra, see pages E6 and E7.

BY BETH WOOD

hether it’s family-oriented fare, the old masters, contemporary composers, movie soundtracks or jazz, the San Diego Symphony’s 2016-17 season has something intriguing for just about everyone. And that has made a lot of people happy. ■ “Our response for tickets has been overwhelming,” said Martha Gilmer, the symphony’s CEO. “We have a balance between fantastic works by well-known composers and great pieces that are not well known. The audience has told us they want pillars of orchestral repertoire, along with pieces they are not familiar with. The orchestra has probably never sounded better, and that’s also why we’ve gotten such a positive response.” ■ The Jacobs Masterworks series is the flagship of the symphony season, which begins this weekend. Jazz @ the Jacobs will begin its second year in November, with “Sinatra’s Jazz,” featuring vocalist Jane Monheit and the Count Basie Orchestra. Acclaimed trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos, whom Gilmer calls “a master of artistry and artistic integrity,” is curating the five concerts. In April, orchestra members will join top jazz players for a concert dubbed “Big Band Bash.” SEE SYMPHONY • E6

San Diego Symphony’s Opening Weekend

Featuring: Schumann, Mendelssohn and Brahms; Jahja Ling, conductor; Gil Shaham, violin When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday

Where: Copley Symphony Hall at Jacobs Music Center, 750 B St., downtown Tickets: $20-$96 Phone: (619) 235-0804 Online: sandiegosymphony.org For the full calendar of the season, go to sandiegosymphony.org.

The San Diego Union Tribune 10/09/2016

SYMPHONY FROM E1 This season’s other components are Family Concerts and the Fox Theatre Film Series, which feature the orchestra. “They both are ways of introducing new audiences to classical music. The family series concerts will delight both adults and children,” Gilmer said. “Hearing the score of a movie is a great introduction to the sound of orchestra. The music is equally dramatic as the movie.”

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THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE

SUNDAY • OCTOBER 9, 2016

Meet the musicians

The San Diego Symphony has 90 talented musicians, and each one of them has a tale to tell, from secrets about the instruments they play to how they spend their free time. Here are four of their stories.

Forward and back Because this is Jahja Ling’s 13th and last season as music director, it takes on special significance. In developing this season’s five programs, he is looking both back at his years here and forward. He has invited such friends as violinist Gil Shaham, pianists Lang Lang and Yefim Bronfman to play with him this season. “It will be an exciting year,” Ling said. “Major musicians want to play with us because it’s a wonderful orchestra. Even conductor Edo de Waart, now music director of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, is coming to conduct my orchestra for the third time. I can’t believe this.” The symphony will honor Ling throughout the season, as it continues the search for his replacement. Several coming to conduct, either for the first time or a repeat performance, will be considered, Gilmer noted.

An American perspective The symphony has chosen “American Variations” as its theme. While the European masters will not be overlooked, many concerts will include works by American composers or about America. The Jacobs Masterworks series will include three

HOWARD LIPIN U-T PHOTOS

Violinist Yumi Cho is excited to perform Stravinsky’s “Petroushka” with Charles Dutoit next May.

“We have a balance between fantastic works by well-known composers and great pieces that are not well known. The audience has told us they want pillars of orchestral repertoire, along with pieces they are not familiar with. The orchestra has probably never sounded better, and that’s also why we’ve gotten such a positive response.” Martha Gilmer CEO, San Diego Symphony

Beyond the Score (BTS) concerts — a mash-up of video, stills and actors explaining the story behind the music, followed by the orchestra playing the piece. One BTS performance will explore the life and music of visionary American composer Charles Ives. Another will examine Dvorak’s “New World Symphony.” The Bohemian/Czech composer was asked to come to America specifically to discover its folk influences, from Native American drumming to the music of American slaves. “BTS is a great introduction to the composer,” Gilmer said. “It’s an opportunity to delve deeply into a composer and has been a big success. “Looking at American music needs to be from a national and global perspective. There are so many influences in our shared and disparate cultural past. It reflects the roots of people who came to America from their homelands. Each has an authentic American perspective. Last year, I said that opening the season was like opening chapters. This year, with so many interesting pieces put together, it’s more like a quilt.” Wood is a freelance writer.

YUMI CHO

Section violin Birthplace: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Neighborhood: Downtown

Share something about your instrument that most people don’t know. I just recently learned an interesting (yet very random) fact about the violin. Apparently, the world record in cycling backwards while playing a violin is 60.45 kilometers in 5 hours and 8 seconds!

How would you describe the upcoming season and what are you most looking forward to? I think the upcoming season will be

exceptionally exciting for us. Our Jacobs Masterworks series will feature classic symphonic repertoire (i.e. Gustav Mahler, Anton Bruckner, Johannes Brahms), as well as a variety of less familiar works (i.e. Andrew Norman, Morton Gould, Steven Stucky). There are many new and returning guest conductors/soloists. We’ll also perform movie scores within the Fox Theatre Film Series and several children’s performances as part of our Sunday Family Concerts. Our schedule layout will be slightly different this year, as we’ll showcase opera productions sprinkled throughout the entire season. In years past, the opera season ran from January through May.

I’m really looking forward to our entire season as a whole, but specifically, I’m probably most excited to perform Stravinsky’s “Petroushka” with Maestro Charles Dutoit next May. Stravinsky is one of my all-time favorite composers, and Dutoit was one of my childhood idols.

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What are some of your favorite nonmusical activities? I love adventure, traveling and the great outdoors. A combination of all three is my ideal. I’ve been fortunate to see a lot of the world due to music-related activities, but the last few years have offered opportunities to travel without my violin. I ended up in such off-the-grid locations as Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal, the outskirts of

central Mongolia as part of a Trans-Siberian Railway trip and many kilometers north of the Arctic Circle in Tromsø, Norway for a marathon. There is so much to see in this beautiful world, and I can’t wait to discover more corners of the globe. These adventures abroad have provided unforgettable memories and experiences, which have led to a greater appreciation for the smaller things in life.

When not playing or listening to classical music, which genres do you enjoy? Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of oldies by musicians like Frankie Valli, The Beach Boys and The Temptations. I also enjoy music from countries that I’ve previously visited, such as

RYAN DILISI

If San Diegans unfamiliar with the symphony wanted to try it, what are a couple of concerts you’d suggest they’d attend? I’d recommend a little bit of everything: an opera production, one of our classic Masterworks Series programs and a live film performance. If you have children, I’d also highly recommend our Sunday Family concerts.

When not playing or listening to classical music, which genres do you enjoy? My wife, Katie, and I listen to an eclectic mix of Hawaiian, Sicilian folk, jazz and Spanish music. I can’t leave out that radio station that plays all the best jams from the ’90s and the Google Play radio station that plays current pop hits. Basically, we like to listen to anything that has a good beat.

Share something about your instrument that most people don’t know. Each drum has foot pedals that either tighten or loosen the head, changing the pitch of the drum. Also, fine tuning handles slightly adjust the note if the pitch is sharp or flat. While classical and romantic-era music typically has two or three fixed pitches for the drums, contemporary music often requires timpanists to use the pedals to change the notes on the drums while playing. When you see me leaning over the head of the drum, I’m tuning the drum and making sure I not only have the correct note, but that the pitch is in tune with the rest of the orchestra. I do this by humming the pitch into the drum. When I have tuned the drum correctly, the drum “sings” the pitch back to me.

What’s the last music you downloaded? Franz Schubert’s String Quintet in C major.

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How would you describe the upcoming season and what are you most looking forward to? This season has wonderful variety with an exciting mix of guest conductors, artists and concerts. There are also classic orchestral standards as well as new and unfamiliar works that help both the symphony and audience grow. The final concerts with Maestro Jahja Ling as music director also promise to be deeply heartfelt and poignant. Beethoven’s Ninth and Tchaikovsky’s Fourth symphonies are spiritual and transcendent journeys that leave me feeling uplifted — and have some of the most exquisite and

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performances, given such a short rehearsal schedule. It’s a testament to the skill of all the participating musicians.

Principal timpanist Birthplace: New Jersey Neighborhood: Downtown

old Sinhala (Sri Lankan) songs. I’m unable to understand the lyrics, but the music itself is enough to keep me intrigued.

If San Diegans unfamiliar with the symphony wanted to try it, what are a couple of concerts you’d suggest they’d attend? I highly recommend going to one of the live film performances. It shows what an orchestra can do and how greatly a film score heightens the visuals. In the “Wizard of Oz,” Dorothy simply walking around a cornfield turns into a melancholic and wistful scene when you add the music. I love John Williams and Harry Potter, so I’m excited to play the score live with the movie “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” And the music of the Danny Elfman/Tim Burton show is incredibly challenging yet incredibly fun, so I am looking forward to that. Another wonderful introduction to orchestral music is the February programs featuring works by Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky, with world-class artists Lang Lang (piano) and Benjamin Beilman (violin). The weekend will take you on a musical journey that will leave you thirsting for more.

BETH ROSS BUCKLEY

Principal timpanist Ryan DiLisi recommends that newcomers check out one of the live film performances. thoughtful timpani writing in the repertoire.

cians to all develop sensitivity to each other, but the payoff is irreplaceable.

How has the classical music scene in San Diego evolved since you started at the symphony? I officially started as Principal Timpanist in January 2011. The growth that the San Diego Symphony has achieved in those years is astonishing. The cohesion we’re developing as we gain more permanent musicians is vital to the growth of the ensemble. It takes time for 90 musi-

Tell us about involvements you have with other musical organizations or educational institutions. I’m the principal timpanist with the All-Star Festival Orchestra of Mainly Mozart each June. It’s a pleasure to be a part of it. We are mostly principal musicians from top orchestras throughout the country and achieve an amazing level in our

The San Diego Union Tribune 10/09/2016

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THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE

SUNDAY • OCTOBER 9, 2016

Violinist John Stubbs, who joined the San Diego Symphony in 1977, has enjoyed watching the orchestra become a part of the downtown lifestyle.

JOHN STUBBS

Section violinist Birthplace: St. Louis Neighborhood: South Park

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Share something about your instrument that most people don’t know. A violin bow — specifically the horsehair strung across the bow — acts as a hygrometer. I love opening up my violin case during a Santa Ana and seeing how the dryness has affected my bow.

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How would you describe the upcoming season, and what are you most looking forward to? In May, we are performing Stravinsky’s “Petroushka” and Ravel’s “La Valse,” with (Swiss conductor) Charles Dutoit. Programs that feature Ravel and Stravinsky always attract me because of their connection to the early 20th century and the era of Sergei Diaghilev, who founded Ballets Russe in Paris. I would love to have participated in that period of history.

How has the classical music scene in San Diego evolved since you started at the symphony? I joined the San Diego Symphony in 1977. At that time, five o’clock would come around and workers would leave downtown to go home to the suburbs. Downtown would be deserted. If we were lucky, they’d come back to the Civic Theatre for a concert on the weekend. Now, downtown San Diego is a thriving community where people work, live and dine. We are thrilled to see the San Diego Symphony becoming a large part of the downtown lifestyle.

Tell us about involvements you have with other musical organizations or educational institutions I’m the music directorprincipal conductor of the California Ballet Company and the creator-director-producer of Luscious Noise. I also mentor young conductors, who receive

“I’d encourage the San Diego community to come to hear all of our season’s guest conductors, to personally experience the ‘one’ who may be chosen to lead the San Diego Symphony in the near future.” coaching and opportunities to conduct professional musicians during California Ballet Company rehearsals.

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What are some of your favorite nonmusical activities? I enjoy tinkering with my 1946 Willys Jeep that I restored. It can be seen in the neighborhood on a weekly ride. I also restored a 1967 Yamaha motorcycle that I purchased in St. Louis in 1968 and recently had shipped to California to be reborn. I have been an avid bicyclist since my college days. I study film whenever I have the opportunity.

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When not playing or listening to classical music, which genres do you enjoy? Classic rock ’n’ roll and jazz. What’s the last music you downloaded? “James Brown’s Greatest Hits.”

If San Diegans unfamiliar with the symphony wanted to try it, what are a couple of concerts you’d suggest they attend? I’d always encourage attending any Masterworks series. These great performances are what we, your San Diego

Symphony musicians, have trained for all of our lives. And if anyone is uncomfortable with the magnificence of Symphony Hall, look for a neighborhood-friendly Luscious Noise performance: classical music performed by San Diego Symphony musicians in your neighborhood bar, club or library. Talk to the musicians afterward and you will discover how welcoming the San Diego Symphony is to everyone. Also, I’d encourage the San Diego community to come to hear all of our season’s guest conductors, to personally experience the “one” who may be chosen to lead the San Diego Symphony in the near future.

Those two genres of music relax me completely.

Tell us about involvements you have with other musical organizations or educational institutions. Every September, when we have time off, I always go back to my home country, Taiwan, to give classes at various venues. I left home to come to the U.S. to study when I was 17. Although I received most of my music education here in the states, Taiwan always has a very important and irreplaceable spot in my life. It all started a couple years ago when I had an opportunity to give a class at the Soochow University in Taiwan. I got to work with many great kids who are so talented and (hungry) to learn. I realized that it was time to give back to the community and society. I have been so lucky to have received so much help from so many people throughout my career, why not start being the one who helps others?

Q: Cellist Chia-Ling Chien is excited about many programs this fall, but “you can’t miss the power of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.”

CHIA-LING CHIEN

Associate principal cello Birthplace: Taipei, Taiwan Neighborhood: Mission Valley

Share something about your instrument that most people don’t know. I smiled a bit when I saw this question. I never thought that the cello would be difficult to recognize. But someone asked me: “Is that a big guitar?”

Guess what, that wasn’t the first time, but almost every time. There is another situation. After explaining what the cello is, a pretty good number of people would respond: “Oh, that’s a big violin, then.” This is a great chance to tell everyone that a cello is not a big guitar, not a big violin. Most people don’t know that the cello needs a seat when we cellists travel. Beside the extra cost for its ticket, the saddest part is

that the cello doesn’t get his own meal or drink.

How would you describe the upcoming season and what are you most looking forward to? Sparkling and exciting. There are many young, outstanding musicians (including soloists and conductors). For me, it is always exciting to see and work with rising stars. They are like those bubbles in the sparkling wine — full of

energy and excitement. We also have such amazing legendary musicians as Itzhak Perlman, Edo de Waart and Yefim Bronfman.

experience different recipes or experience different ways of cutting food and fruit. I could have gotten that from my mother, who is a chef.

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What are some of your favorite nonmusical activities? I love cooking. To be more accurate, I love everything that’s related to kitchen. When I have time, I spend hours in the kitchen and try out different combinations of ingredients,

When not playing or listening to classical music, which genres do you enjoy? I love listening to jazz, pretty much any kind. I shamelessly say that I listen to Taiwanese pop a lot. And I proudly say I am pretty up to date with that.

If San Diegans unfamiliar with the symphony wanted to try it, what are a couple of concerts you’d suggest they’d attend? “Adams, Atoms, and Planets” is definitely the one for nonclassical music concertgoers, because you will feel so COOL! “The Planets” by Gustav Holst is definitely a piece that will make you excited. You can’t miss the power of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. The sound of the orchestra, power of the choir and four amazing singers make this symphony the one and only. Want to experience one of the most amazing and famous classical pieces every written? This is the one to hear.

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