Music and Dance Reviews : Ohyama, Bishop-Kovacevich Offer 2nd Mozart Program

As on Friday, the Saturday evening preview concert at Hollywood Bowl featured a soloist well-acquainted with the Cahuenga Pass stage who was joined by a reduced Los Angeles Philharmonic in presenting a Mozart program. And, as on the previous evening, one of the orchestra’s assistant conductors presided over an alert and apparently well-rested ensemble.

The conductor on this occasion was Heiichiro Ohyama, the orchestra’s principal violist, who closed the program with a high-spirited and tidy account of the “Jupiter” Symphony. Though he gave admirable attention to individual details, the conductor seemed not to conceptualize the work as a whole. This “Jupiter” proved elegant and stylish but not magical, for Ohyama’s approach proved too meticulous and controlled.

Until the Finale, that is, where the music making was unflaggingly vital and imparted an unmistakable sense of motion.

One had little difficulty in hearing individual lines, but balances seemed askew. From a spot near the middle of the boxes, at any rate, horns and basses sounded unnaturally prominent.

Before intermission, pianist Stephen Bishop-Kovacevich offered a clear, accurate reading of the Concerto in C, K. 503. Not an especially assertive player, the Los Angeles-born, London-based musician favored eloquence over indulgence, finesse over flash. His reading was by most standards not a particularly emotional one, but one both intelligent and personal.

Ohyama and the orchestra provided effective support, a few asynchronous moments notwithstanding.

A well-regulated but energetic account of the Overture to “Le Nozzedi Figaro” opened the proceedings.

Attendance: 12,709.