MUSIC REVIEW : Janowski Begins His Week at Hollywood Bowl in Haste

Marek Janowski began a week at Hollywood Bowl like a man in a hurry. Sheer speed seemed the chief pillar in his interpretation of an effective grouping of familiar repertory Tuesday with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

The veteran Polish conductor, who made his debut with the Philharmonic a year ago, stressed the more mercurial and athletic impulses of Prokofiev and Beethoven at almost every turn.

In the concerto centerpiece of the agenda, this approach was bolstered by the crackingly, immensely vital playing of pianist Yefim Bronfman. Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 became a showpiece of fiercely accented, moto perpetuo furies, hammered out with intelligence and elan.

Bronfman also introduced a liberating element of bluesy inflection to the more lyrical of the Variations, in a performance of remarkable poignancy as well as relentless bravura.

The thoroughly meshed yet stoutly assertive accompaniment of Janowski and the Philharmonic greatly abetted the glitter and thrust of Bronfman’s effort. Exhilarating ensemble turned the concerto into chamber music of a grand and rowdy sort.

In symphonies surrounding the concerto--Prokofiev’s First and Beethoven’s Seventh--all the quickness and power produced more routine results. Janowski ran their course with firm purpose, enforcing a broad dynamic scheme in readings that aspired toward dancing abandon.

But the efficient, respectable product achieved just a sense of elegant haste. The few lingering moments Janowski allowed seemed inert rather than reflective, as momentum and energy became everything.

The orchestra played willingly enough, though with sloppy intonation in the strings for Prokofiev and moments of transitional confusion for Beethoven. Janowski certainly got their attention with his tempos--now if only he had elicited a measure of distinctive style and nuance. . . .

Official attendence: 8,719.