MUSIC REVIEW : Three Guide Institute Orchestra

Perhaps proving that there is safety in numbers, three conductors exercised authority over the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute Orchestra in the Hollywood Bowl on Sunday night. This was the second of three concerts listed for the student orchestra, in addition to a program last week in collaboration with the Philharmonic itself.

In general, the results of the summer’s labors so far seemed decidely impressive. The basic ensemble was stable; there may be occasional minor flurries and disturbances, but the ship as a whole sails under a steady wind.

The most confident sounds were produced when the music was fairly loud and fast. Little inaccuracies tend to be swept along in the momentum of the occasion and untidy bits can go unnoticed.

The solo performers were unfailingly competent but not always instantly alert in making the most of the opportunities as they flew by in the passing moment.

Berlioz’s “Roman Carnival” Overture sagged in the slow introduction under the cautious and unduly rigid baton of Anne Harrigan, one of the institute’s three conducting fellows, but picked up spirit and energy as the lively saltarello progressed.

Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade” may not sound as exotic to contemporary ears as it did to the original listeners of 1888, but it still remains a virtual catalogue of primary orchestral effects, and under the direction of guest conductor John Nelson--formerly of Indianapolis, now of Lyon--some of its one-time flair and color was revived.

The performance could not have gone so well without the firmly managed violin solos of concertmaster Gabriel Gordon, and the assured contributions of the woodwind and brass solos.

Malcolm Frager, a pianist whose earlier appearances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic extend back to 1963, offered an orderly and properly reticent account of Beethoven’s Concerto No. 1 in C, with the composer’s rarely heard cadenzas. Conducting fellow Stefan Sanderling led the orchestra.

Attendance: 10,808.