A leader and a mentor

Suzie Harrison

All he has to do is walk across the street for his job as

concertmaster for the Pacific Symphony, but it is where his shoes

have been during the past 40 years that brings global experience to

the Pacific Symphony.

And talking to those who know him makes it clear that they are

looking forward to Raymond Kobler’s upcoming performance as a soloist

for the Pacific Symphony’s upcoming concert May 7 and 8 at the Orange

County Performing Arts Center.

Jim Medvitz, vice president of strategic planning and special

projects for the symphony, said the concert series has gone through a

remarkable transition since Kobler came aboard.

“Kobler has brought his experience and training. He’s worked with

some of the greatest conductors,” Medvitz said. “He’s brought a level

of professionalism to the string section, unity, sound and focus --

he’s made a big difference solidifying the string section. It’s

amazing what’s happened.”

He also said he has been a great advocate for the orchestra and

classical music for the community.

“I had been playing with the orchestra for four years when he came

into the picture -- he has lent a lot to the orchestra, the wisdom he

imparts is amazing,” said Newport resident Alice Wrate, a violinist

for the symphony. “He has so much experience, his role has been as a

mentor to the string section.”

He has been a translator between the conductor and the string

section, a great leader and the sound of the strings has really

blossomed because of Kobler, she said.

“Critics, musicians, everyone has said that they agree,” Wrate

said.

Kobler, concertmaster and principal violinist with the symphony

for the last four years, remains modest about his achievements.

Earlier this month, Kobler was honored as Outstanding Individual

Artist at the 2003 Arts Orange County Awards, receiving the award for

his exemplary artistic/musical accomplishments, his inspiration to

others and his contribution to cultural life in Orange County.

“I’ve been lucky enough to work with great orchestras, which has

been instrumental in bringing my experiences to others,” Kobler said.

“So I am imparting that to that extent, as well as from my teacher,

Josef Gingold, one of the most respected teachers, who studied with

Eugene Ysaye.”

Ysaye was the greatest violinist of the early 1900s, Kobler said.

“He was able to impart a lot of history and knowledge,” Kobler

said. “He brought out everybody’s best traits, and that’s what one

generally tries to do when one teaches -- is bring out each

individual.”

Kobler said he was honored that his colleagues thought of him as

its mentor.

“I’ve been playing with the orchestra for 17 years,” Robert

Schumitzky of Newport Beach said. “Ray is an incredible player with

an incredible amount of experience from being with the San Francisco

Orchestra for 18 years. He treats the rest of the musicians as equals

and with respect.”

Schumitzky was thrilled to hear that Kobler was awarded

outstanding artist.

“Ray is absolutely a top-level orchestral musician and concert

master, he’s been in that role for so many years, and his experience

in that role shows,” Schumitzky said. “He also sits with us in the

orchestra and becomes one of us easily -- it takes a unique person to

do that.”

In 2002, Kobler was a Grammy Award nominee for his work as part of

a string trio on the recording “Timeless Tales and Music of Our

Time,” but that’s not his favorite accomplishment.

“I’ve had so many special performances as a concertmaster,” Kobler

said. “I was the concertmaster for the orchestra for world peace at

the 50th anniversary of the United Nations in Geneva. I participated

in the opening of the Kennedy Center in 1971, and the refurbishing of

the Lincoln Center in 1976, and played with the San Francisco

Symphony for the opening of the Orange County Performing Arts

Center.”

Kobler will play Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 1 for violin and Orchestra in D major as part of the “Russian Beauty” concert with the

Pacific Symphony May 7 and 8 at the Orange County Performing Arts

Center in Segerstrom Hall at 8 p.m. There will be a preview at 7 p.m.

both nights.