Review: Women Composers Get Their Due in Jeremy Denk’s Inspired Conrad Recital
Pianist Jeremy Denk. (Photo courtesy of the La Jolla Music Society)Are women composers finally getting their due? This weekend alone in San Diego, thirteen works by eleven female composers were featured in three different classical events. True, all the soloists were men and each concert’s anchoring pieces were canonical “bro” compositions. But the trend inspires optimism.By far the bulk of this weekend’s feminine programming was pianist Jeremy Denk’s ambitious Friday recital at The Conrad for La Jolla Music Society. Giving women their propers was very much the point of his lovingly crafted program. Denk, a master of innovative programming, devoted the recital’s entire first half to nine composing heroines from Beethoven’s time to now — a 35-minute grand tour of the rich variety of women’s composition.Denk grouped ten works into contrasting pairs: a short work by a historical composer coupled with a brief piece (none longer than 7 minutes) by a contemporary. This temporal contrast entailed a stylistic contrast: accessibly melodic nineteenth-century pieces were set in relief by more rhythmically or harmonically challenging recent works. Cecile Chaminade’s charmingly evocative La Lisonjera (The Flatterer) from 1890 was nicely offset by Missy Mazzoli’s brilliantly moody Heartbreaker from 2013. The floating dissonances of Phyllis Chen’s SumiTones (2019) were leavened by Amy Beach’s lovely Dreaming from 1892. Call it palette-cleansing cum inspired curation.One unintended consequence of Denk’s scheme: the contemporary works tended to expose the “‘salon”-music quality of the nineteenth-century composers (Clara Schumann very much excepted). Meredith Monk’s hypnotic, masterly Paris from 1972, for example, put Beach’s lightweight In Autumn (1892) firmly in its place. Crawford Seeger’s formidable Piano Study in Mixed Accents (1930) made Farrenc’s graceful Melodie in A-flat Major feel unambitious. This wasn’t about differences in competence or skill. Pre-feminist composers had to stay in their lanes or be ghosted by a culture that limited the instrumentation, performance settings, and duration of their compositions (and even prevented them from formally studying composition and counterpoint).Hovering over the evening was Clara Schumann, arguably the grand matriarch of women composers. Denk opened the concert with a completely convincing interpretation of her melancholic Romance in A Minor (1853), the work of a master, and closed it with “love letters” to her by the two giants in her orbit: Johannes Brahms and Robert Schumann.Denk perfectly captured the autumnal warmth and nostalgia of Brahms’ four opus 119 works — his last for solo piano. When Schumann wrote his Fantasy in C Major, his dedicatee, Franz Liszt, was the rare pianist who could handle its technical challenges and almost schizophrenic mood changes. From its “Durchaus fantastisch” and “Durchaus energisch” (quite fantastic, quite energetic) highs to its tender Beethoven-echoing last movement, Denk brought a Lisztian mastery and virtuosity to this wildly contrasting piece. His encore was a winningly vamped-up ragtime take on Wagner’s Tannhauser Overture.Some might object that the evening’s program amounted to “ghettoizing” women composers by cramming them into a musical tasting menu pre-intermission (“Add women and stir”) while extended works by the canonical males Brahms and Schumann got the luxury-box treatment post-intermission. But the best way to ensure women’s works someday own the program is to expose listeners to their rich variety and champion them as persuasively as possible. In ranging masterfully over so many unique voices, Denk did just that.Paul Bodine is a San Diego writer.
Unveiling San Diego’s Unusual Past: 11 Quirky Historical Gems That Shaped the County
The La Jolla sea cave. (Photo courtesy of City of San Diego)UFOs, odd caves and weird looking birds called Emus.Yes, San Diego County, with its sun-soaked beaches and rich history, holds countless stories. Beyond its well-documented military and cultural legacies, the region is brimming with lesser-known, unusual tales that add a layer of intrigue to its past. These peculiar historical gems showcase San Diego as a hub for innovation, creativity, and even the occasional oddity. Some on the list you might already know about, while others might surprise you and make you want to visit them sooner rather than later. Here are 11 historical gems to explore and learn more about. Of course, there are many more!1. The Plunge’s Swimming ScandalThe Mission Beach Plunge, originally opened in 1925, was touted as the largest saltwater swimming pool in the world. However, controversy struck in the 1940s when officials replaced the saltwater with fresh water—a move that upset many locals who cherished the pool’s ocean-like experience. Today, “The Plunge” remains a cherished icon, but few realize its salty origins.Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'4Wu6g-QhSQRwGaJwa8ruNw',sig:'M-vkpntRxNdB3yVrTRmxiMXBdv1pDD6tT4usQOuucjk=',w:'553px',h:'311px',items:'1488600169',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});2. The Mysterious Whaley HouseThe Whaley House in Old Town is a well-known tourist attraction, often labeled one of the most haunted houses in the United States. But its history goes beyond ghostly tales. The house served as San Diego’s first commercial theater, a general store, and even a courthouse. The blending of such disparate functions in one building adds to its mystique and charm.Embed from Getty Images3. The UFO Wave of 1947While Roswell is famous for UFO sightings, San Diego had its own close encounters. During the summer of 1947, multiple residents reported seeing “flying discs” over the county, according to reports. Newspapers speculated wildly, linking the sightings to secret military tests or extraterrestrial visitors. While explanations remain elusive, the 1947 UFO wave has become an odd chapter in the region’s lore.Embed from Getty Images4. La Jolla’s Secret CaveSunny Jim Cave in La Jolla has a clandestine past. Accessible through a hand-dug tunnel from a nearby gift shop, the cave was allegedly used by smugglers during Prohibition to bring alcohol into the United States. This underground passage, hidden in plain sight, is now a favorite spot for adventurous tourists, sources say.Embed from Getty Images5. The Goat Canyon TrestleDeep in Carrizo Gorge lies the Goat Canyon Trestle, the largest wooden railroad trestle in the world. Built in 1932, it has been called an “impossible railroad” due to the challenges of its construction in the rugged desert terrain. Although abandoned now, the trestle stands as a testament to engineering ingenuity and perseverance, sources say.Embed from Getty Images6. The Giant Sea Serpent Hoax of 1868Another Nessie? In 1868, newspapers in San Diego reported sightings of a massive sea serpent near Point Loma. Locals flocked to the coastline, hoping for a glimpse of the creature. Though later revealed to be a hoax, the sea serpent frenzy captivated imaginations and remains a quirky part of the city’s maritime history, sources say.Embed from Getty Images7. Julian’s Gold Rush Ghost TownsJulian, a quaint mountain town known for its apple pies, was once a bustling hub during San Diego’s 19th-century Gold Rush. Surrounding Julian are ghost towns and abandoned mines that tell the story of prospectors who sought fortune in the region’s rugged hills. Exploring these remnants offers a glimpse into a bygone era of boom and bust, according to sources.Embed from Getty Images8. The Forgotten Chinatown of San DiegoWhile San Francisco’s Chinatown is world-famous, San Diego once had a thriving Chinatown of its own. Located near today’s Gaslamp Quarter, it was home to Chinese immigrants who worked in fishing and railroad construction. Over time, the neighborhood was overshadowed by development, but historical markers and community efforts aim to preserve its memory, sources say.San Diego Gaslamp Quarter. (Photo by Chris Stone/Times of San Diego)9. The Great Emu Escape of 1996In the mid-1990s, an emu farm in rural San Diego County made headlines when dozens of the large, flightless birds escaped their enclosures. The sight of emus wandering suburban neighborhoods was both humorous and chaotic, with animal control teams and local residents scrambling to capture the runaway flock. It’s a quirky anecdote that locals still chuckle about today, according to reports. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'SRJ0lIRGR9NAchpfVHW8Ig',sig:'FxP6hIJOqLDjZDjrQQF0xWooDyBorUjJr06OCDdfvmo=',w:'504px',h:'339px',items:'200142557-001',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});10. Point Loma’s Rare Eucalyptus ForestPoint Loma is home to one of the few naturalized eucalyptus forests in California. While eucalyptus trees are not native to the U.S., they were introduced during the 19th century as part of a misguided plan to supply wood for railroads. The Point Loma forest thrives today, offering a unique ecological feature that connects San Diego to its pioneer days.Embed from Getty Images11. The San Diego Chicken’s Iconic LegacyTed Giannoulas, better known as “The Famous San Diego Chicken,” became a Pop Culture phenomenon in the 1970s. Originally a local radio station mascot, the Chicken’s comedic antics at Padres games turned him into a national sensation. He’s widely credited with pioneering the concept of sports mascots as entertainers, leaving an unusual but lasting legacy on sports culture, sources say.Embed from Getty ImagesNot The UsualSan Diego County’s history is far from ordinary. These unusual tales—from sea serpent hoaxes to underground caves and wandering emus—offer a fresh perspective on the region’s past. Exploring these stories not only deepens our appreciation for the area but also reminds us of the quirky, colorful, and unexpected events that have shaped its identity. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, San Diego’s offbeat history is worth diving into—because sometimes, the strangest stories are the most fascinating.Let us know if you would like to suggest more odd gems: debbies@timeofsandiego.comDebbie L. Sklar is a contributing editor to the Times of San Diego. For more historical stories about Hollywood’s Golden Age and others visit here.Sources:Whaley House History: https://www.whaleyhousesandiego.com/history/Goat Canyon Trestle Information: https://www.sandiegohistory.org/La Jolla Caves and Smuggling Tales: https://www.lajollacaves.com/Julian Gold Rush and Ghost Towns: https://www.julianca.com/history/San Diego UFO Reports of 1947: https://www.ufohistory.com/sandiegoThe Great Emu Escape of 1996: Local news archives, San Diego Tribune.
San Diego Weekend Guide: Jan. 10-12 – Tidepools & Titters
The Cabrillo National Monument in Point Loma, where festival fun may be had Saturday and Sunday. (Photo by Jennifer Vigil/Times of San Diego)The New Year has been rather heavy so far, especially in Southern California. This San Diego weekend we’re counting our blessings and turning to music, horses, comedy and nature for a spot of relief.It’s going to cool down for the weekend, just time for the Winter Festival, 5 p.m. Friday and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, at Poway Community Park. Build snowmen, sled down a snow hill, roast marshmallows, make crafts and take a spin around a rink. New this year: more bounce houses, magical lights and a life-sized winter wonderland board game where you become the playing piece. Admission and many activities are free.Petco Park hosts the second annual San Diego Rodeo in which 12 contestants will compete in each event. Gates open at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Full passes start at $99, with single-day admission at $34. In addition, rodeo after-parties include Elle King, Ryan Bingham and Colter Wall. View this post on Instagram A post shared by City of Poway (@cityofpoway)The Old Globe’s annual Powers New Voices Festival, a three-day event featuring readings of 10 new plays by local and award-winning playwrights, opens Friday. The festival, at the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre in Balboa Park, includes six 10-minute plays by local writers on Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, hear four full-length plays, including The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Marco Antonio Rodriguez, adapted from the heralded novel by Junot Díaz. Online reservations are required, though tickets are free.The 2025 soundON Festival, from San Diego New Music and the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, continues at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Listen to contemporary music by guest artists Entre-Nous and a world premiere by Sidney Marquez Boquiren. General admission for the fest, at the Athenaeum in La Jolla, costs $30 per concert.Let the beer fests begin. The 14th annual San Diego Brew Fest returns to NTC Park at Liberty Station on Saturday, with dozens of local and international craft beers, as well as a lineup of popular food trucks and music. General admission is $50 for entry at 1 p.m. and $65 to get in an hour early. Enjoy unlimited beer tastings, or specialty pours with early admission. The Cabrillo National Monument in Point Loma hosts the free Whale Watch Weekend and Intertidal Life Festival, with exhibits, demonstrations, kids’ activities, films and more, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. It’s a special one this year, marking 75 years of official landlubber whale watching. Rangers can assist visitors in spotting whales, while also conducting tidepool walks on Sunday.Laughter is the best medicine, right? Downtown is the place to be Saturday if you need a chuckle (or like, a dozen of them):San Diego Civic Theatre – Jimmy O. Yang of HBO’s “Silicon Valley” and Netflix’s “Space Force,” brings his “Big & Tall Tour” to town at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $70 and are scarce.Balboa Theatre – Danae Hays’ “The First Time Tour” arrives at 8 p.m. Hays has a huge TikTok following, based on posts making sport of her Southern roots. Tickets start at $50.
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