Jurowski, Philharmonic combine eloquently

Vladimir Jurowski, continuing the monthlong parade of guest conductors leading the Los Angeles Philharmonic in this early winter season, led a showy and balanced program over the weekend.

The gifted, 33-year-old Russian musician returned to the orchestra Saturday night at Walt Disney Hall with a provocative overture by Alfred Schnittke, Mozart’s D-minor Piano Concerto with soloist Lars Vogt, and Prokofiev’s Fifth Symphony. This program was scheduled to be repeated Sunday afternoon.

As Grant Hiroshima’s thoughtful program notes pointed out, Prokofiev’s impassioned Fifth may not be the document of victory and euphoria it was considered at its premiere in 1945. Its dark side gives us pause, and its ambiguities are many.

Jurowski’s reading found myriad facets in this compelling work; the orchestra played brilliantly and up to its higher standard. The opening movements may have lacked ultimate focus, but the Adagio and the finale spoke eloquently. Only unwarranted applause between movements jostled the rapt listener.

A familiar visitor here, pianist Vogt, like Jurowski, was making his Disney Hall debut. In doing so, he repeated his performance of the Piano Concerto No. 20 he played with the Philharmonic in April 1999. That one was memorable for its depth of feeling, its pianistic range -- from delicacy to strength -- and for an overall sense of inexorable continuity.

As before, the cadenzas, written by Vogt himself, emerged thrilling and appropriate. The entire performance rang with unforced resonance through the room.

Schnittke’s “Kein Sommernachtstraum” (Not a Midsummer Night’s Dream) was Jurowski’s witty opener, and it both alerted the audience to pleasures to come and served as an introduction to the concerto. It is a neo-Mozartean exploration of textures and styles, touching on post-Classic period cliches (including those of Charles Ives) but deftly, and in 10 short minutes, it became the perfect overture. And Jurowski led it -- and the entire program -- with assurance, energy and musicality. One cannot ask for more.