Music : Japan Philharmonic in Costa Mesa

These are happy days for orchestral enthusiasts, and not least in the appearances of the Japan Philharmonic. Though these overlapped concerts by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the London Classical Players, and were framed by events of the Shanghai Symphony and the Leningrad Philharmonic, the Japanese orchestra proved a distinctive voice.

This is conductor Ken-Ichiro Kobayashi’s first tour of the United States, and he has chosen exposing, intriguing programs. On Friday, he offered a small crowd in Segerstrom Hall at the Orange County Performing Arts Center Mahler’s Fifth Symphony, surrounded by Toru Takemitsu’s “Requiem for Strings” and an ethnic-pops love feast in encore.

Kobayashi’s Mahler was a thing of fierce contrasts, risking much in pursuit of dramatic definition. The accomplishment was incomplete--almost perversely exaggerated at times--and focused on the maniacal elements in the first three movements.

With the Adagietto, however, came elegance with no diminution in passion. Kobayashi shaped the long lines with contemplative care, stretching out the suspensions lovingly.

The orchestra seemed to give Kobayashi everything he wanted, which included balances tipped heavily in favor of the gleaming brass. No stress on the line was too extreme to sustain, no inflection too subtle, although there were clashes in the woodwind solos and string intonation could sag.

Takemitsu’s early “Requiem”--his first orchestral piece--emerged strongly, though in context it seemed emotionally redundant. It revealed the supple phrasing and grainy, focused sound of the strings in a dark, brooding, quasi-modal setting, punctuated by gruff, quickly subsiding outbursts.

It also took no more time than the intermission that immediately followed. Another long, awkwardly placed hiatus followed the Mahler, as Kobayashi took repeated bows, and then stood among his players, giving every section and soloist individual bows. Then he turned to two Japanese folk songs, the first a poignant solo for principal flutist Hiromitsu Abe. The second was arranged as an ethnic rocker, featuring the percussion section in blue tunics, a la Kodo.

Kobayashi and the Japan Philharmonic were scheduled to offer a different program Saturday at Ambassador Auditorium.