MUSIC REVIEW : Slatkin Conducts Institute Orchestra at Bowl

In the nature of a graduation ceremony, the concert by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute Orchestra in Hollywood Bowl Sunday night seemed to celebrate the talents of both the 100-plus students in the ensemble and three members of the faculty appearing in the solo spotlight.

Cellist Lynn Harrell, artistic director of the 1988 Institute, participated in Brahms’ Double Concerto with violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, a recent visitor to the faculty.

Leonard Slatkin, the American conductor who takes over podium duties with the senior Philharmonic this week, led the student group in the concerto and in Richard Strauss’ “Also sprach Zarathustra.”

In addition, Kirk Muspratt, one of three conducting fellows at the 1988 institute, opened the program with Joseph Schwantner’s brief “Someday Memories.”

If the program on paper seemed weighty and ritualistic, the actual performance emerged a model of lightness. Schwantner’s breezy, instrumentally showy, 5-minute piece is a charming overture clearly designed for display--of conductor as well as orchestra. Muspratt made the most of it, and even milked the bows afterward. Watch him.

Slatkin, on the other hand, led Strauss’ thought-heavy tone poem with tight command but without calling attention to himself. For once, a canvas sometimes apparently sprawling seemed perfectly cohesive, even inevitable. And these student players gave Slatkin deep concentration as well as polished instrumentalism.

Still, the high point of this closing ceremony turned out to be Brahms’ often-misunderstood Double Concerto, a work that has defeated many sincere but overwrought interpreters. This time around, Salerno-Sonnenberg, Harrell and Slatkin gave the concerto its lyric due, all the pointed fervor it needs (but no more) and lightened textures through which myriad musical emotions can breathe and resonate.

The result: not only an accurate and transparent Brahmsian sound-experience but a poignant one as well. Afterward, there was a lot of kissing and hugging--and hearty handshakes between the men. We had heard why.

Attendance: 8,400.