A two minute orchestral fanfare by Paul Coles to celebrate a royal occasion introduced a concert that was otherwise centred far away from these shores in an exotic evening of splendid music.

As always with this orchestra, the standard was exceptional, the choice of music stimulating and the soloist was a young person of remarkable talent.

Fauré’s Pavane set the tone for an evening of beautiful music, this piece being delivered with a touch of The Arabian Nights about it as it moved gently along guided by the strings in rhythmic fashion.

Highlight of the evening was a stunning performance by Jun Sasaki, a young cellist who played Schumann’s Concerto in A Minor with sensitivity and brilliance only surpassed by his superb interpretation of a short but sweet Nocturne by Tchaikovsky, with its nostalgic overtones of Jewish melodies.

The main work of the evening, Saint Saëns 2nd Symphony, ended on an urgent note to bring to a climax a concert of quality.

Reprinted by permission of the Dorset Echo.