Chamber Orchestra Gives Thoughtful Interpretation

Frequent concert-goers probably fear two things above all: the same tired repertory and bland, faceless interpretations.

But a combination of imaginative programming, thoroughly professional playing and thoughtful interpretations Sunday afternoon by Micah Levy and the Orange County Chamber Orchestra eliminated nearly all evidence of this same-old-thing syndrome.

Unfortunately, Bach’s Concerto in D minor for two violins fell victim to the malady. Concert mistress Diana Halprin and principal second violinist Joseph Goodman provided well-matched tone and articulation. Levy led neat accompaniments and balanced his forces well enough, yet a lack of softer dynamics throughout could not be blamed on any acoustical flaw in the auditorium at Loyola Marymount University in Orange.

The finale came to life with a great deal more spirit, but the first two movements seemed little more than a polished run-through.

The balance of the performance proved eminently satisfying, however. “Prologue and Variations” by Ellen Taaffe Zwilich presents tremendous challenges of ensemble, intonation and interpretive shaping, conquered in every respect by Levy and his musicians. The 1984 work gratefully provides evidence that Minimalism does not reign supreme in contemporary compositional technique, and this expressive piece passes the most important test: one wants to hear it again.

Haydn’s Symphony No. 83 “The Hen,” received a persuasive reading, with full-bodied sound that belied the actual number of players (22), and responsiveness to every shade of the nuances of Levy’s direction. Proof was at hand that this group articulates as one, particularly in true accents with bite at any dynamic level.

The program opened with another alternative to tried-and-true programming, Vaughan Williams’ “Five Variants on ‘Dives and Lazarus.’ ” Levy skillfully wove the subtly exchanged lines of this gentle work into warmly haunting music.