FOR Vasily Petrenko and the RLPO, this has been the year of the blockbuster.

Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis was given with the Huddersfield Choral Society both home and away, and the Mahler symphonic cycle came to an end with massive orchestras culminating in the Symphony No 8 in Liverpool Cathedral.

I hear that microphones were in place for these events, and those unable to be present will hope that broadcasts or recordings will be available in due course, also giving a souvenir for those who were lucky enough to get tickets for these packed events.

Sizeable orchestras also appeared on Pentrenko’s successful recordings of the continuing Shostakovich symphonies, which have received excellent critical notices.

The Rodewald Society also draws attention for its focusing on Schubert and Beethoven, with Liverpool- born pianist Paul Lewis and the Belcea Quartet in the forefront.

But, for Blockbusters, the London Proms took the prize with an appearance after 30 years of neglect of the Symphony No 1 by the Potteries-born composer, Havergal Brian.

This is no more than a symphony of a thousand than the Mahler No 8, but the BBC still rallied 600 singers in nine choirs and an orchestra of 210, and the results have been released on Compact Disc by Hyperion.