MUSIC REVIEW : ‘Winterfest’ Performed in Garden Grove

At least the Garden Grove Symphony deserves credit for effort.

Saturday night in packed Wash Auditorium at Garden Grove High School, the orchestra’s program entitled “European Winterfest” (“Russian Winterfest” would have been better) demonstrated commendable ambition under the guidance of conductor Edward Peterson. Even though the playing lacked the finesse necessary to convey convincingly the music presented, the programing usually reflected thoughtfulness and an effort to rise above the commonplace.

Latvian-born violinist Mischa Lefkowitz aggressively mastered many of the difficulties in Sibelius’ Violin Concerto. Unfortunately, the evening’s only major undertaking found concentration by Peterson and his forces sagging.

Khachaturian’s “Masquerade” Suite offered moments of fun, especially during the lively “Galop.” A stately, suave violin solo during the “Nocturne” section by concertmaster Liane Mautner Hughes earned oohs and ahs from an audience that applauded after every movement.

As part of a celebration of the orchestra’s newly acquired piano, Mario Feninger played Chopin’s Waltz in C-sharp minor and “Le Rossignol” by Alabyev-Lizst in a highly romantic performance.

But guilty pleasures were unleashed mercilessly in a performance of a bland arrangement for strings of Maurice Jarre’s “Lara’s Theme” from “Doctor Zhivago”--replete with lights projecting giant snowflakes on the walls.

Spirited but untidy performances of “Troika” from Prokofiev’s Suite from “Lieutenant Kije,” the Polonaise from Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin” and the Overture to Johann Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus” completed the program.