Youth Symphony, Mehli Mehta Shine

The relationship between Mehli Mehta and the American Youth Symphony can’t go on forever; we only wish it could. In their 31st annual gala benefit together, Sunday at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the 87-year-old conductor, recently recovered from bypass surgery, and his accomplished players, ages 16 to 25, again displayed their peculiar, precious brand of musicianship: youthfully vigorous execution in service to interpretive wisdom.

With reduced orchestra, Mehta opened with Prokofiev’s “Classical” Symphony in a transparent, fully characterized reading. Mehta pointed up detail with a mere flick of the wrist or lean of the torso, and the orchestra responded incisively.

Innovation came along with the performance of Stravinsky’s “Petrushka,” in the form of super-titles narrating the scenario of the ballet--a good idea, though a tad wordy here. Some clotting in metrically complicated passages notwithstanding, the performance, beautifully paced, colored and phrased, brimmed with vitality, the choirs of the orchestra and individual players showing remarkable virtuosity. A nod should go to trumpeter Matt Zimmer.

Pianist Yefim Bronfman, this year’s guest star, romped through Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3. Crisply formed musical gestures projected with whistle-clean clarity made Bronfman’s account fly. Conducting from memory, Mehta shadowed his every step avidly.