Music Review : Miller’s Return a Satisfying One at Bowl

Returning home, guest conductor for a day David Alan Miller couldn’t exactly work miracles with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Thursday at the Hollywood Bowl.

The former associate conductor of our home team, now music director of the Albany Symphony, did manage a more than creditable showing, however. Great performances aren’t built in a day, but Miller drew up some nifty designs for an audience of 8,110.

Perhaps most impressive was Miller’s traversal of Strauss’ (that’s Johann Jr.) “Emperor” Waltz: It brought back memories, by way of contrast, of the anatomically correct account of the piece that Salonen brought to the booing Salzburgians in 1992. Miller took the thing much easier and came closer. Avoiding stylistic dissection, he found its easy lilt and savored its sweet nostalgia, marshaled unforced pomp and compelling sweep, all gracefully. If not as smartly turned out as it could have been, this “Emperor” had clothes, at least.

After intermission, Miller took on the hefty broodings of the Symphony No. 1 by Sibelius with finesse and authority. The Philharmonic didn’t always seem to be giving him the oomph he was asking for, and missed some of the crispness of his corners (Miller took the scherzo dangerously fast), but generally responded with plenty of power, passion and sheen.

Miller even accomplished the near-impossible feat of bringing unity to the notoriously discursive finale through a canny use of related tempos. Michele Zukovsky (as usual) contributed memorably dreamy clarinet solos.

At solo time it was prodigy time, with 13-year-old Tai Murray revisiting the hoary charms of Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1. She was solidly up to the task. With a sturdy grasp of its dramatic oratory, fine technique and rich tone, she gave a confident, well-projected performance. She used generous vibrato effectively and portamento knowingly. Only her lyricism seemed immature, delivered by the book. The orchestra and Miller accompanied handily and intently.

Not so incidentally, the amplification this night was well-behaved. Please, don’t touch that dial.