Music Reviews : David Alan Miller Conducts Mozart at the Bowl

Mozart, the most merciless of composers in exposing the true abilities and musical depth of his interpreters, is not for the timid of heart. Courage and resource must equip every would-be Mozartean--but especially when this master’s music is taken out of doors.

It was taken outside with surprising grace Friday, when the Spanish pianist Alicia de Larrocha returned to Hollywood Bowl for a pre-season Mozart concert conducted by David Alan Miller, and the Soviet violinist Vladimir Spivakov also reappeared. (He had played and conducted another Mozart program Wednesday.)

Larrocha, as authoritative and unflappable in Mozart as in any composer whose works she essays--she has always chosen wisely, one can say, after hearing her for three decades--put on display the admirable and oft-neglected Piano Concerto in E-flat, K. 271.

Without any condescension, she outlined, then detailed, the extraordinary characteristics of the piece, made it sing, and brought out its shape. One felt blessed to be in Larrocha’s musical presence. Miller and 40 members of the L.A. Philharmonic collaborated attentively.

The rest of this evening did not occupy such an exalted level. Miller and the Philharmonic contingent seemed to examine carefully the many facets in the “Paris” Symphony (No. 31), yet without producing a particularly compelling reading.

Spivakov brought elegance and genuine clarity of line to the early Second Violin Concerto, K. 211, yet failed to achieve real conviction in any of its movements. The general impression of low energy was seconded in conductor Miller’s sometimes recalcitrant accompaniment.

The evening began disappointingly, with a straight and clean but unevocative run-through of the “Don Giovanni” Overture, one that failed to indicate the complete range of emotions in this brief but substantial piece.