NEXT Wednesday and Thursday one of the most exciting young British violinists, Jack Liebeck visits Hope Street to play the Sibelius Violin Concerto.

Premiered just over 100 years ago, it was poorly received. Even 25 years later, a German critic described it as boring Nordic dreariness.

In fact the music of Sibelius has never taken off in central Europe, but has always been appreciated in Britain.

The Concerto reveals two sides of his personality, as over the characteristic Sibelian bleakness, we hear the frustrated concert violinist, writing a dazzling and very difficult solo part. The Concerto is now one of the “Big Six” in our concert halls.

Vasily Petrenko opens the concert with one of Grieg’s most attractive works, the Holberg Suite, giving the Phil’s string section a chance to show off, and then it will be the audience’s turn during Tchaikovsky’s sixth Symphony “Pathetique” to concentrate and restrain themselves from applause at the end of the exciting third movement – there’s still the final movement to come!

Reviews

Dohnanyi Vol.2 - Martin Roscoe (Hyperion)

MARTIN ROSCOE may come from Widnes, but he must have Hungarian blood in his veins, he takes so well to Dohnanyi’ piano music.

In the second volume, there are the Humoresques in the form of a Suite, the early four Piano Pieces, and a set of Variations, and even if the music is rooted in the late 19th century (he was born in 1877 but died in 1960) it is none the worse for that. There is the added bonus of excellent recorded sound by Hyperion.

Bruckner: Symphony No 7 - Runnicles (Hyperion)

DONALD RUNNICLES has returned to his homeland as conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and from the sound of this disc has already made his mark.

He draws superb playing from them in this monumental symphony, at the same time making his mark on the music as well.

Here is Bruckner superbly paced, but also showing rather more warmth and romance than we usually associate with him.

This is a notable debut by Runnicles with his new Orchestra in glowing Hyperion sound.

Dvorak: Silent Woods - Poltera/Stott (BIS))

CHRISTIAN POLTERA and Kathryn Stott give a splendidly romantic recital of cello music by Dvorak, either composed or arranged by him, or in arrangements by the soloist himself. So we have the Sonatina and Silent Woods, which gives the album its title, and seven other items including Songs my Mother Taught Me and the Song to the Moon from Rusalka. Altogether this CD makes very satisfying late night listening, and all superbly played.