Jun 23, 2008

Garden concert truly a 'Symphony in Flowers'

By Janet Duca Norton / Society Columnist

Picture-perfect described the 18th annual "Symphony in Flowers" benefit, presented by the Mid-Peninsula League of the San Francisco Symphony. This is only the second time a garden party concert performed by a group of symphony musicians has been presented. A record-setting 294 guests attended the June 14 garden party and twilight concert.

"The beautiful estate of Alan Salzman and Jillian Manus Salzman, the sold-out attendance, the musicians from the San Francisco Symphony, fabulous food and wine and the beautiful weather all contributed to a most unforgettable evening," co-chair Nancy Greenbach said.

Heading the list of unique activities were docent-led tours of the various garden rooms of the 3.5-acre English garden-themed Atherton estate, including a forest glen with an antique fountain, a fern garden with a large stone waterfall and koi pond, a large purple wisteria-covered arbor, a putting green and a beautiful pool.

There was a little something for everyone. Concertgoers had the chance to meet and have New York Times writer Katie Hafner sign her new book, "A Romance on Three Legs: Glen Gould's Obsessive Quest for the Perfect Piano," observe plein-air painters create garden portraits, shop in the "symphony store" and sample an elegant buffet supper by Dan Ripley Catering, with signature Symphony League cookies for dessert. Not only did league members bake these delicious cookies, cookie committee co-chairwomen Betsy Furst, Elsa Heald, Judy Orttung and Judy Levine debuted their "Signature Cookies" cookbook in the symphony store.

Both the ensemble and their pieces were specially arranged for this performance. Musicians Jonathan Fischer (oboe), Rhonda Bradetich (flute, piccolo), Russ deLuna (English horn), Stephen Paulson (bassoon), Douglas Rioth (harp), Stephen Tramontozzi (bass) and Robert Ward (French horn) presented an eclectic concert.

A pieces by German composer Carl Stamitz and a Chopin waltz were followed by a trio of original romantic pieces by Tramontozzi titled "Loved is a Place," "Rumba for Rhonda" and "Quietly." Being mindful of the fundraising event, the finale featured a money-themed medley of pieces from plays and movies.

Leading the applause were honorary chairs Marcia and John Goldman, Frank and Jeanne Fischer, Marilee Gardner, Tom Furst, Joe Greenbach, Hiro and Betty Ogawa, Jim Woodson, Betty and Karen Rudolph, former league president Gaye Bruce and current president Edith Zitelli.

"This beautiful event allows us to continue to carry out our outreach programs to the Costano School of East Palo Alto," Greenbach said. The program introduces students to classical music and helps transport them to the San Francisco Symphony Concerts for Kids at Davies Symphony Hall every year. "They join the other 35,000 students from the Bay Area who benefit from such fundraising events."


MENLO CHARITY HORSE SHOW SPONSOR PARTY

It's summer, and once again it's time for the annual Menlo Charity Horse Show, a benefit for the Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. The 37th annual show will feature 700 world-class riders and their horses competing in three arenas during the six-day event on Aug. 5 through 10 at the Menlo Circus Club in Atherton.

Following tradition, the blue ribbon show is preceded by kickoff parties for the sponsors, guests and committee members. For the first time, The Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley hosted a poolside wine and hors d'oeuvres party on June 17.

General manager Tracy Mercer, along with Kelly Nelson and Nicole Neal welcomed more than 60 diamond-, platinum- and gold-level sponsors. The Four Seasons will have a signature jump in the center ring this year, joining the family of themed jumps including the famous Tiffany gift boxes, Bloomingdale's brown shopping bags and charming five-foot-high Flury/Bryant model house.

Show founder and coordinator Betsy Glikbarg was pleased this year's show has received record-setting sponsor pledges (nine more than last year) from more than 85 individuals and corporations. These sponsorships made it possible for last year's show to raise $470,000 for the Vista Center for the Blind, an organization that makes self-reliance possible for 19,000 visually impaired people in Santa Clara, San Mateo, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties.

Celebrating on the pool deck were returning sponsors Bob Bryant and Pat and Bob Flury of Flury/Bryant Design Group, Ed Shultz and Dottie Dutton of US Bank, and Neiman Marcus general manager Terry Brown and public relations manager Cydney Brown, who were joined by first-time sponsors Lisa and Richard Steiny and Margaret and Craig London.

Committee members in attendance included Juno and Peter Szalay, Bruce Fielding, Bridget Madigan, Suzanne Rischman, party co-chairwomen Susan Martin and Mary Johnson, as well as original public relations chairwoman Nan Chapman. Sponsoring committee members included Steve Goldenberg of Oppenheimer & Co. and Catherine Harvey and Agneta Turner of Rhys Vineyards.

For information visit www.menlohorse show.org or call 650-701-0543.

Janet Duca Norton's society column appears every Sunday in the Daily News. Send event information to 255 Constitution Dr., Menlo Park, CA 94025 or e-mail society@paloaltodailynews.com.