Young Conductor Makes Strong L.A. Debut

Ever awaiting their big opportunity, assistant conductors of major symphonic organizations must pray for debut chances. For 33-year-old Yasuo Shinozaki, that opportunity came Thursday night, when he deputized for the ill Hans Vonk and led the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a Beethoven program at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Since joining the orchestra at the beginning of last summer, the Japan-born and Vienna-trained conductor has led the orchestra in a series of community concerts and in the Symphonies for Youth program. The Thursday night performance, which will be repeated through Sunday, marked his first appearance with the orchestra in a subscription series concert. Shinozaki handled it with aplomb.

In a program encompassing the Third “Leonore” Overture, the G-major Piano Concerto--with soloist Andre Watts--and the “Pastoral” Symphony, the young conductor made a strong impression, proved imperturbable and enforced orderly, well-contrasted and motivated performances from his colleagues.

The concerto showed Shinozaki at his best, collaborating smoothly with Watts’ patrician pianism and sculptured reading, holding the orchestra in check while giving it room for expression, keeping the shape of the work clear. The total unfolded logically and effortlessly.

The Sixth Symphony emerged with its inner workings supporting its familiar, grand superstructure. Each movement was given its character, and each moved solidly forward. The audience, informed of Shinozaki’s debut via an insert in the program, seemed to have developed a new affection when it came to the young conductor. Standing ovations followed the piano concerto and the “Pastoral.”

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The L.A. Philharmonic, Yasuo Shinozaki conducting, repeats this program tonight at 8 and Sunday at 2:30 p.m., Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A., $12 to $78. (323) 850-2000.