A Master X Three

The Conejo Valley Symphony, that “other” orchestra in the county, continues its sparse-but-potent concert season Saturday with a triple dose of Beethoven, under the title “Beethoven X 3.”

Conductor Howard Sonstegard will lead his charges in performances of the “Egmont” Overture and the Fourth Symphony, and the guest soloist, pianist Daniel Pollack, will play the “Emperor” Piano Concerto.

Pollack is a familiar face on the local music scene, having appeared with the previous incarnation of the Conejo orchestra, led by maestro Elmer Ramsey.

Pollack, who teaches at USC, has appeared around the world with such notable orchestras as the New York and Los Angeles philharmonics. A contemporary and classmate of Van Cliburn, Pollack won third prize at the 1958 First International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow.

He handles the classics with aplomb, but also has an ear for more modern fare. Pollack’s latest CD, on the American Classics label, features the music of American composer Samuel Barber.

Bolstered by a new spirit and energy this season, the orchestra performs in the new, cavernous Calvary Community Auditorium in Westlake Village.

As the largest venue in the county, it’s far too large for the still-growing audience for this symphony but could be a suitably epic locale, nicely scaled for an evening of Beethoven.

The orchestra’s four-concert season continues with more Beethoven next month, when it joins forces with the Los Robles and Ventura County master chorales to perform “Missa Solemnis” on March 18 at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

DETAILS

Conejo Valley Symphony, with Daniel Pollack, at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Calvary Auditorium, 5495 Via Rocas, Westlake Village. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for students; 370-8200.

Jazz Lefties: If last month’s dazzling performance by the Vinny Golia Large Ensemble can be viewed as a culturally seismic event in the area, consider tonight’s double-header jazz concert at Ventura City Hall an aftershock of the nicest kind.

Musicians from both the Michael Vlatkovich Trio--dueling trombonists Vlatkovich and Bruce Fowler--and the Wayne Peet Trio were part of the epic fabric of Golia’s 30-odd member ensemble.

They’re all part of the not-so-loose assembly of musicians from the Los Angeles area who have forged a mighty avant-garde contingent--not for love of money, but for love of music. That alone is significant in an industry town with a stubbornly commercial core, despite its healthy outpourings of innovative and creative instincts. More to the point, some of the music made by the creative players is made possible via “day gigs” in the mainstream music scene, whether in studios, as sidemen, film music work or other vocational avenues.

One of the strongest aspects of the current incarnation of the Golia Large Ensemble, as heard in Ventura, is its formidable trombone section, chiefly thanks to Vlatkovich and Fowler.

Both are bold, flexible players not averse to inserting humor into their stylings. Hearing them together in a trio format, dancing around drummer Chris Garcia, promises to be a revelation for anyone with an ear for the possibilities of the trombone, still an underdog with great potential for both snarl and coo.

Keyboardist Peet, whose current trio includes guitarist G.E. Stinson and drummer Russell Bizzett, manages to create an appealing merger of abstraction and soulfulness. Here he plays organ, making the group a maverick variation on the classic jazz-soul organ trio.

DETAILS

Michael Vlatkovich Trio and Wayne Peet Trio at 8 p.m. today at Ventura City Hall, 500 Poli St. in Ventura. Tickets are $7 at the door.

Josef Woodard, who writes about art and music, can be reached by e-mail at joeinfo@aol.com.