Northern California symphony audiences first met Mr. Jordá when he opened our
1952-53 "Season of Discovery." His guest appearance was so
successful that he was invited to return for the recent "Season of
Decision." The popular and critical acclaim he won from lovers greatly
influenced the Symphony association's Board of Governors in their selection of
Jordá as successor to Pierre Monteux.
Mr. Jordá gained his
musical training with Marcel Dupree and Paul Le Flem in Paris. And it was
there, in 1938, that he made his debut as a conductor. Later he went to the
Orquesta Betica of Seville and the Madrid Symphony, where he remained as
permanent conductor for five years.
He left Spain in 1945, and
for two years served as guest conductor of such renowned orchestras as
England's BBC Symphony, the Manchester Halle, Paris Conservatoire, Suisse-Romande
and Paris Pasadeloup. He was then appointed conductor of the Capetown Symphony
in South Africa, a post which he served for six years.
__________
_____. "43rd Season, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra:
Enrique Jordá, Conductor."
Brochure maintained and presented by San Francisco
Symphony association.
November 1954 - April 1955.
Enrique Jordá, Spanish-born conductor of the San Francisco Symphony, may have
decided by now that next to being dubbed a man of distinction, there's nothing
quite so flattering as being mistaken for a maitre d'. Let's hope so.
Other
day, Jordá was conferring with Berkeley portrait Photographer Paul g. Bishop
concerning a portrait. The pair stood in the Clift Hotel lobby, with Jordá
the cynosure of all eyes --- a man of distinguished appearance, unfailing
courtesy, and handsome habiliments.
Up rushed a small,
distraught hotel guest, aquiver with excitement. An autograph hunter?
"You
the maitre d'?" she demanded of Jordá. "Well, where's the dining
room?"
Jordá has only one consolation. Nobody, but
nobody, is as immaculate as a maitre d'.
__________
_____. "Man of Distinction." Oakland Tribune.
March 25, 1954.
