MUSIC REVIEW : Gould Leads Pacific Symphony in Opening of Summer Series

The Pacific Symphony’s inaugural Summer Series at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre got under way with a bang, literally, for it was the orchestra’s “Fourth of July Spectacular,” complete with fireworks.

Conducting this all-American program was none other than Morton Gould, whose “American Salute” is familiar to anyone who frequents patriotic concerts.

Actually, “American Salute” (based on “When Johnny Comes Marching Home”) wasn’t listed on the program; it was the first encore. The main Gould installment was his “Declaration Suite,” a four-movement set that opens with energetic fanfare and ends with an attractive fugue, with pleasant but forgettable material in between.

Leonard Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story” followed, and here, as in Gould’s work, the orchestra rendered a reasonably accurate but entirely superficial account of the music. Though the jazzy syncopations fell neatly into place and the musicians played with healthy vigor, Gould seemed to make little attempt to bring out nuances.

Aaron Copland’s “Billy the Kid” Suite fared somewhat better, due in large part to some very sensitive playing by such individuals as trumpeter Burnette Dillon. George Gershwin’s “American in Paris” rounded out the program; ebullience and swagger characterized this reading.

The house amplification system, on which all but those in the first dozen or so rows are dependent, was judiciously adjusted, but some extra-musical noise did occasionally emerge from the speakers. Other distractions, mostly minor, included distant fireworks, one aerial intrusion, talking from untamed concert-goers and the walkie-talkies of certain ushers.

Following Gould’s “American Salute,” Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever” signaled the beginning of the fireworks display, which continued after the musicians had left the stage.