Despite bungled last chord, Gaffigan’s debut impressive,
bringing Schumann, orchestra to life  San Diego Symphony Jacobs
Masterworks Series  When: Program repeats 2 p.m. today  Where:
Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B St., downtown  Admission: $20-$96
Phone: (619) 235-0804   It’s enough to ruin your day. You are
guest conducting in a city for the very first time, and
everything is going reasonably well. As you head down the home
stretch in the Schumann Symphony No. 4, not a ritardando in
sight, aiming for that final chord. And just when you get there,
someone in the brass or horn section muffs it.  Conductor James
Gaffigan deserved better, and he got it through most of the
program in an impressive debut with the San Diego Symphony
Friday at Copley Symphony Hall.  Jahja Ling’s schedule with the
orchestra allows relatively few guest conductors, but Gaffigan
was a welcome presence, even if Ling was not far off.  Ling, a
Juilliard-trained pianist, and his wife, Jessie Chang, were the
equally welcome soloists for Poule