Music Reviews : Institute Orchestra’s Closing Concert at Bowl

Neither as polished nor as exuberant as at some of their earlier performances this summer, the 100-plus members of the orchestra of the L.A. Philharmonic Institute nevertheless played like the young pros they are at Hollywood Bowl.

Their Weber-Beethoven-Ravel-Debussy program, led by Institute conducting fellows Keith Lockhart and Kate Tamarkin, and by guest conductor David Zinman, proved a challenging exercise for their last time together. They did themselves proud in its performance Sunday night.

Still, examples of fuzzy musical focus and inconsistent ensemble arose to blemish the patina of professionalism on this event, reminders that music making, like all human activities, is subject to the vicissitudes of daily living.

Zinman seemed to be leading smoother, less lumpy readings of “Alborada del Gracioso” and “La Mer” than the Institute Orchestra was playing, as it moved from a clunky and literal run-through of the former to a mixed account of the latter.

Strong soloism characterized most of “La Mer,” and the cello choir distinguished itself in its several exposed passages. Nevertheless, the total performance did not progress in an unbroken, rising line, as it can, and should; an undertow seemed to be operating against the natural flow of the score.

Lockhart led the opening national anthem and the “Oberon” Overture with impeccable and well-defined podium manners and a clear sense of motion.

And, at mid-program, Tamarkin presided over one of the more high-energy, artistically distinguished performances of Beethoven’s Triple Concerto the Bowl has witnessed in recent times.

Pianist Claude Frank, cellist Lynn Harrell and violinist Pamela Frank (the Franks are father and daughter) treated the oft-dismissed solo parts of the familiar work with a respect and intensity few others bother to bring to it. Their playing, individually and as a group, seemed to find all the musical importance and myriad beauties therein.

If there was a leader in this trio of equals, it was Harrell, whose playing proved incandescent as well as technically solid and handsomely matched to the splendid, soaring contributions of violinist Frank. Pianist Frank offered comparable authority and heat. These three should take the piece on the road; it has long needed champions of this level of accomplishment and conviction.

Attendance: 9,608.