MUSIC REVIEW : Clooney, Siegel Soloists at Gershwin Program

Gershwin programs--one of the more durable traditions at Hollywood Bowl--continue to attract performers and audiences to the outdoor amphitheater. In 1989, twin presentations of a Gershwin evening conducted by David Alan Miller, and featuring singer Rosemary Clooney and pianist Jeffrey Siegel, drew listeners counted at 15,933 on Friday and 17,818 on Saturday.

Unless those audiences had good memories, they may not have been disappointed.

Miller brought efficiency and stylishness to his leadership of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in “An American in Paris” and the “Rhapsody in Blue.”

Clooney offered smooth, invariably pleasant renditions of nearly two dozen Gershwin standards, backed helpfully by members of the orchestra, led by her splendid, regular conductor, John Oddo. And Siegel handled the intricacies of the “Rhapsody” neatly.

All that was missing in most of these performances were large amounts of panache, musical excitement and genuine urgency. All forces gave professional accounts of this music--without, on Friday, at least, proving again its stature.

Within a limited emotional and dynamic range, Clooney indicated clearly why singers cannot resist the familiar charms of “ ‘S Wonderful,” “Isn’t It a Pity,” “How Long Has This Been Going On?,” “A Foggy Day,” “They All Laughed” and (for a closer) “Our Love is Here to Stay.”

Still, she seemed to ignore the poignancy in many lyrics, as well as the self-hypnotizing energy in some others--flattening out all texts into innocuousness. She did connect positively with her audience in remarks about the late Ira Gershwin and about Ginger Rogers--who was in the audience on Friday, and whom Clooney introduced.

Oddly enough, Clooney sneaked into her opening group one song not written by George Gershwin: “Long Ago and Far Away,” the work of Jerome Kern, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin, written in 1936.

Siegel’s contributions to the Rhapsody proved clear and competent, but without that extra measure of vigor to make them thrilling. Miller’s smiling presence seemed also to add little to the musical atmosphere.