Camerata Jerusalem Makes L.A. Debut

A highly accomplished and astute chamber orchestra, the Israel Camerata Jerusalem--formerly the Israel Camerata Rehovot--is a collection of mature players, mostly Russian emigres. Under music director Avner Biron, the 33-member ensemble made its Los Angeles debut at the Veterans Wadsworth Theater in Brentwood under auspices of the UCLA Center for the Arts Saturday night, as part of its first tour of the United States.

The ensemble’s achievements are many and its strong points include an effortless virtuosity, tight instrumental balances and a broad dynamic palette that the group uses tastefully.

Its generous program here began with a showy and bracing revival of Boccherini’s wondrous “Casa del Diavolo” Symphony and ended with the buoyancy of Schubert’s popular Symphony No. 5--just one day after the composer’s 200th birthday. After a weak beginning movement, the ensemble noted the anniversary with appropriate joy and technical resources. Biron proved himself a solid if uncharismatic leader--he never got in Schubert’s way.

The veteran German American pianist Claude Frank dominated the mid-program with not one but two Mozart Concertos, Nos. 9 and 17, K. 271 and K. 453.

The 71-year-old pianist played both with probing musicianship, a deep rapport especially in the slow movements, emotional content and clear projection of each work’s progress. Biron and the orchestra contributed fully to these dramatic performances.