Kim, Novacek in Fine Form

Violinist Byung-Woo Kim and pianist John Novacek joined principal players of the Pacific Symphony on Friday night for a stimulating end to the orchestra’s 1996 chamber music series at the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art.

Schumann’s Piano Quintet in E-flat provided the most involving forum for the ensemble, which also included violinist Amy Sims, head of the orchestra’s second violin section; violist Robert Becker; and cellist Timothy Landauer. With Kim offering an aggressive, compelling first-violin part (a few rogue squeaks notwithstanding), they attacked the work with ardency, concentrating on its fiery sweep while controlling detail.

The musicians seized leadership as necessary. In the opening Allegro brilliante, Landauer etched passionate solos, warmly seconded by Becker. The cellist imparted dervish energy to the Scherzo. Novacek, who has served as pianist for the entire series, established a sense of stormy mystery in the first movement, tempestuous foreboding in the last.

Kim, who has been concertmaster of the San Jose Symphony since 1991, also assumed the first-violin part for Mozart’s Piano Quartet in E-flat. Here, the foursome offered a focused, multihued reading, although it waited for the second movement to delve into delicate shades, opting for a surprisingly muscular Allegro.

During the Larghetto, the musicians explored chromatic content with thoughtful unanimity and subtle balance. The closing Allegretto thrived amid elegantly appointed humor set off by spirited flashes of strength.

The program was to be repeated Saturday night in Laguna Beach.