SF Symphony Store Carries California Collectors' Note Cards
April 29, 2009 by Judy Vaughn
The San Francisco Symphony Store is now carrying scenic note cards created by watercolor artist Royce H. Vaughn of the California Collectors’ Series.*
Give Modest Mussorgsky credit for making it happen.
Vaughn is an ardent fan of Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition” as arranged by Ravel. As he walked into a Thursday afternoon matinee at Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall, he spoke glowingly of a performance he had heard years ago. That one had been directed by Fritz Reiner of the Chicago Symphony and Vaughn’s memory could hardly contain the feelings he had watching it as a young college student. He was sure no one could match the excitement of that day.
However, a standing ovation in San Francisco had a similar effect. In an ironic turn of events, both conductors Oliver Knussen and then Alasdair Neale called in sick. Donato Cabrera filled in and brought down the house!
Filled with the exuberance that filled the auditorium, marveling over the precision of the violins and drama of the percussions, humming the grand finale, Vaughn marched into the symphony store proposing that they carry note cards representing pictures from his own body of work.
His enthusiasm showed. Within the week, his cards were in the shop.
*California Collectors’ Series cards can be found on the main menu under “Note Cards” or “Boxed Sets.” 11x17 prints are available by special order.