MUSIC REVIEW : Litton Leads Beethoven Program at Bowl

With more than a score of visits to Cahuenga Pass since his youthful debut in 1953, John Browning could be considered one of the Hollywood Bowl’s more regular callers. On Thursday the 56-year-old pianist returned to the site after a three-year absence, delivering the same work he had played in 1986: Beethoven’s Third Concerto.

Browning offered a direct, straightforward account, demonstrating clarity and control throughout. While the opening movement remained handsome but largely undistinguished, the Largo revealed moments of considerable subtlety, so much so that his playing occasionally became almost inaudible.

Not so during the Rondo, which bounced along with countrified swagger. Here the pianist eschewed the delicateness and refinement he had earlier demonstrated in favor of an assertive, muscular approach. Andrew Litton led a strong, supportive, but imperfectly synchronized Los Angeles Philharmonic in the accompaniment.

Like the program three years ago, Thursday’s concert continued with the same composer’s “Eroica” Symphony. Due, in all probability, to the idiosyncrasies of the Bowl’s amplification system more than to Litton’s mismanagement of orchestral balances, the horns (and occasionally the timpani) frequently overwhelmed the rest of the ensemble.

That aside, Litton’s “Eroica” was marked by flowing lyricism, telling contrasts and unusual drive. The young conductor elicited not only clean, accurate playing from the orchestra, but a warm and resonant sound from every section. And to each movement--except for the scherzo, which sounded as if were running on automatic pilot--he brought a keen sense of drama.

Attendance: 9,598.