Joyful Play From Philharmonic, Labeques

Aggressive and jolly performances are what one expects from the Labeque sisters, regular visitors to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion who often exhibit their polished duo-pianism with high energy and chic flair.

Katia and Marielle, pianists from Paris, returned to the Music Center Monday night to launch the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s winter season in a Pension Fund Benefit with the orchestra and Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen. Predictably, everyone, including a vociferous audience, had a good time.

The Poulenc Concerto and Saint-Saens’ suite “Carnival of the Animals” were the sisters’ vehicles at mid-program, both works performed with unrelenting good spirits and almost-nervous quick tempos. Yet the pianists delivered the essence of each piece, found its dynamic breadth and musical range and made it resonate with the listener. Virtuosos these pianists certainly are, but they probe into meaning and sense and never settle for routine performances.

Salonen and the orchestra, in top condition after a busy summer--the second half of which was spent on a European tour--also rose to the occasion, with strong support and collaborative savvy in the concerted works.

In the program’s opening and closing orchestral showpieces, Ravel’s “Ma mere l’oye” and a passel of excerpts from Stravinsky’s “Firebird,” the ensemble effortlessly indicated the wide range of colors and nuances in both scores. Playing as soft as that which can illuminate the Ravel suite is always to be admired; showing off the several gradations of that softness adds to the work’s power and effectiveness.

The “Firebird” pieces also received the full arsenal of Philharmonic resources, not, one noticed, as a mere exemplar of instrumental accomplishment, but as Stravinsky’s exigent requirements. A glorious reading, and one appropriately cheered by the listeners in the hall.

The Pension Fund benefit was dedicated to the memory of the late Alfred Wallenstein, music director of the Philharmonic from 1943 to 1956, whose 100th birthday was Wednesday.