2ND PROGRAM FEATURES BEETHOVEN, HOLST : MEHTA, ISRAEL ENSEMBLE AT THE BOWL

Under the continuing influence of a full moon, Zubin Mehta led the Israel Philharmonic (IPO) in a second, less distracted Hollywood Bowl appearance, Wednesday night.

Only two marauding aircraft disturbed the skies over Cahuenga Pass during this concert, which Mehta, with his customary authority, but also with an admirable restraint, devoted to Beethoven’s Second Symphony and to Gustav Holst’s suite, “The Planets.”

Still, some other noises, these caused by the audience--the house was counted by management at 10,044 paying auditors--interfered with one’s concentration upon music. These noises included inappropriate applause between movements, of course. Such applause came so often, the conductor at one point turned around in apparent disbelief; so often, also, that when it did not come, Mehta again searched the amphitheater quizzically.

But the playing of the IPO was usually cause for gratitude. Under Mehta’s clear leadership, Beethoven’s jaunty Second emerged crisp, contained, optimistic and exuberant, its dignity intact but its lilt irresistible.

Mechanical mishaps--in particular some unaligned attacks and cutoffs--and unreliable balances between choirs marred most of the seven movements of Holst’s planetary musical canvas.

Nevertheless, Mehta’s solid pacing and command of orchestral colors and dynamics, plus splendid solo contributions from within the ensemble, carried this performance. In “Neptune,” an appropriately otherworldly vocal obbligato from the women of the Los Angeles Master Chorale made complete the magic of that final movement. Overhead, the waning moon looked on benignly.