Long Beach Symphony Opens 58th Season Impressively

Now entering its fourth year, the musical directorship of JoAnn Falletta at the Long Beach Symphony still seems to thrive, despite the artistic limitations of short seasons, changing personnel and non-abundant rehearsals.

As heard Saturday night, when Falletta & Co. opened a 58th season for the hardy band, the Long Beach orchestra displayed its considerable wares well. The conductor from New York led a very impressive performance of Richard Strauss’ kaleidoscopic “Also sprach Zarathustra” at the end of a showpiece program.

George Enesco’s Romanian Rhapsody No. 1 and Bernstein’s “Serenade, After Plato” actually received scrappy, often unbalanced readings, perhaps due to a lack of adequate preparation--as well as their demanding natures. But enthusiasm from both the instrumental body and from violinist Robert McDuffie, soloist in the Serenade, made up for much.

McDuffie--who, coincidentally, returns next weekend and beyond for Southern California appearances by the touring Prague Chamber Orchestra--was slow to warm up, but achieved a splendid musical cohesion in the meditations of the Adagio, then a genuine Bernsteinian catharsis in the finale, wherein his worthy co-soloist became principal cellist John Walz. Falletta and the rest of the orchestra provided admirable and attentive support.

Strauss’ virtuoso symphonic romp--it may be philosophically pretentious, but it is in execution mostly just fun--gave this band many chances to shine. And shine it did--in particular the bright, disciplined brass section, but also its sister choirs. Not surprisingly, solo lines emerged expert from the Long Beach principals.

There was less neatness, and frequently muddled balances, in Enesco’s emotionally charged Rhapsody, though this performance still proceeded apace with a colorful flair emanating from the podium.

At the top of the evening, Falletta asked the audience to remain seated for a lush string arrangement of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” a gift to the orchestra by one C. Leonard Coduti.