Concert review: Oklahoma City Philharmonic, pianist Andrew von Oeyen offer satisfying performance

In a rare foray into baroque music, the orchestra's recent classics concert opened with Handel's “Music for the Royal Fireworks,” a 1749 work composed to celebrate the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle that ended the War of Austrian Succession.

Joel Levine drew ample majesty and pomp from the opening Overture, with dotted rhythms carefully executed and a tempo that was brisk but never rushed. As its title suggests, the Bourree danced along nicely while the central La Paix was noted for its appealing lilt.

La Rejouissance is arguably the suite's most recognizable movement, with an infectious melody that delights the ear with its inventiveness. One of the industry's first digital recordings (1978) paired Frederick Fennell with the Cleveland Symphonic Winds in a transcription that included a large battery of percussion. As compelling as Handel's original scoring is, Fennell's recording with field drums, cymbals and deafening bass drum whacks remains a guilty pleasure.

Double reeds and harpsichord lent the orchestra's performance of the final Menuet an interesting timbre and capped a suite that often recalled vivid images of 18th century courtly life.