MUSIC REVIEW : LACO’s Strauss: Peak Form

The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra has been playing admirable Richard Strauss at least since the tenure of Gerard Schwarz. Tuesday night in Ambassador Auditorium, the ensemble did it again, this time at the first hearing of its second program of the season.

Present Music Director Christof Perick presided over four contrasting works: the early but irresistible Serenade for Winds, Opus 7; the Oboe Concerto; the original version of Zerbinetta’s aria from “Ariadne auf Naxos,” and the Suite, Opus 60, from “Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme.”

It made for a satisfying evening, especially since conductor and orchestra gained in concentration and focus as it moved along. By the time the “Bourgeois Gentilhomme” excerpts capped the performance, all parts of the orchestra were operating at their peak.

Virtuosity is not only its own reward; it spreads joys of several kinds. The virtuosity of the LACO principals, from concertmaster Ralph Morrison straight across through strings, woodwinds and brass, remains awesome, sturdy and self-hypnotizing: These musicians truly enjoy being among the best at what they do.

Perick made it possible for his colleagues to display their skills, at the same time causing tight and balanced readings not only through the intricacies of the suite, but also in the complex challenges of the rest of the program. As we will not forget Schwarz’s brilliant performance of the complete “Bourgeois Gentilhomme” music in November, 1980, we will not forget the splendidly kaleidoscopic reading of 1993.

In the Oboe Concerto, Allan Vogel made pristine and effortless music of the demanding solo part, handsomely seconded by orchestra and conductor.

In the higher, longer version of Zerbinetta’s aria (it climbs regularly to E-flats, F’s and G’s above the staff), American soprano Cyndia Sieden jumped all hurdles with ease and aplomb. The voice itself is neither as distinctive nor as engaging as one might wish--Sieden’s sound is serviceable rather than limpid--but the intelligence and technique with which she handles it must command respect.

The program will be repeated at the Japan America Theatre, Friday night at 8, and back at Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena, Saturday night at 8:30.