Camerata Pacifica illuminates classics

Showcasing the accomplishments of chamber music luminaries from both coasts in vibrant, commanding performances, Camerata Pacifica kicked off its 16th consecutive season Tuesday night in San Marino.

Also opening the third season in the group’s Huntington Library series, this starry event offered ear-opening readings of major works. The program is scheduled to be repeated around Southern California four times through Sunday.

The high point of the lineup is Brahms’ beloved Piano Quintet in F minor, Opus 34, dominated Tuesday by the group’s new principal pianist, the distinguished Warren Jones. His colleagues are violinists Anne Akiko Meyers and Sarah Thornblade, violist Toby Appel and cellist Ani Aznavoorian.

Together, the five illuminated Brahms’ brooding and violent canvas with fresh insights and controlled passion. Separately, each lived up to his or her established or burgeoning reputation. For one listener, the discovery of cellist Aznavoorian, who shows great sensitivity and great virtuosity at all moments, was particularly satisfying.

The ever-resourceful Jones was the center of interest, however. In Friends Hall, a room almost too small for the imposing sounds of a 9-foot Steinway instrument, Jones’ mellow but powerful playing brought out many facets of Brahms’ middle-period strengths: the concerto-like rhetoric of the opening Allegro, the songful lyricism of the Andante, the virility and all-conquering rants of the dead-serious Scherzo, the whims and oratory of the finale. Jones’ playing is a treasure.

Equally impressive in its own way was Mozart’s Quartet for flute and strings, K. 285b. Here, Camerata Pacifica’s founder and principal flute, Adrian Spence, had his way with a score as irrepressible as any by Mozart. Spence’s colleagues, who matched him strength for strength, were violinist Thornblade, violist Appel and cellist Aznavoorian.

The evening began with a septet of players in a refreshingly noncompetitive performance of Bach’s “Brandenburg” Concerto No. 5.

This turned out to be a warm and affectionate reading, as mellow and virtuosic as everything that followed. The three soloists were Corey Jamason (harpsichord), Stephen Schulz (traverso flute) and Zachary Carretin (violin).

*

Camerata Pacifica

Where: Victoria Hall, 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara

When: 1 and 8 p.m. Friday

Price: $20 for 1 p.m. concert; $35 to $42 for 8 p.m. concert

Info: (800) 557-2224 or www.cameratapacifica.org

Also

* 8 p.m. Saturday, Zipper Hall, Colburn School of Music, 200 S. Grand Ave., L.A., $40, (800) 557-2224 or www.cameratapacifica.org.

* 3 p.m. Sunday, Meister Hall, Temple Beth Torah, 7620 Foothill Road, Ventura, $30, (800) 557-2224 or www.cameratapacifica.org