Klas Commands Victory With Beethoven

“Wellington’s Victory,” Beethoven’s wildly successful--at the time--occasional piece of 1813 has been the climax to the Beethoven Spectacular at the Hollywood Bowl before, but this summer set a new standard for visual excitement. Experienced at the first of two performances at the Bowl Friday night, the light show topped previous efforts in variety, surprises and blazing, colorful and inventive fireworks. For once, the audience’s cheering seemed appropriate.

Neatly costumed by David R. Zyla, the soldiers on both sides of the battle enacted the charade lustily. Conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic, guest conductor Eri Klas tended the musical duties carefully. But the fireworks made the event.

The staged battle was produced by Chari Shankar and directed by Calvin Remsberg, and the fireworks were the handiwork of PyroSpectaculars.

Before that, the novelty on the program was the Choral Fantasy, for solo piano, orchestra and chorus, wherein the protagonists were the solid and authoritative Norman Krieger, Klas and the Philharmonic and a thin-sounding Pacific Chorale. The piece is one beloved by pianists and critics, though sometimes its fragmented nature makes one wonder why. Nonetheless, the work’s charms came through this time, Krieger in particular delivering a virtuosic and compelling performance. Klas held it all together tightly.

In the pre-intermission, Klas and Beethoven first had the spotlight all to themselves, in a stylish, brisk and detailed reading of the “Leonore” Overture No. 3, which set the stage for the battle symphony at the end of the program.

Then, the First Symphony displayed the orchestra in its strong accomplishment, handsomely balanced and limber of textures, each movement separately well-spoken and cleanly limned. The Estonian conductor seldom calls attention to himself, but instead coaxes from his colleagues articulate and expressive music-making of a high order. The sometimes forgotten work was thus returned to its proper glory.