Royal Northern Sinfonia: Sage, Gateshead

THERE were several firsts in this packed concert. It was the first in the Sage’s new classical season, the first to be conducted by Lars Vogt as music director designate, and the first in the Sinfonia’s complete cycle of Beethoven symphonies.

They opened with Beethoven’s Overture to Goethe’s play Egmont, with Vogt demonstrating clearly to orchestra and audience that he wanted to draw out its varying moods and contrasts in a performance which whetted the appetite for the more substantial pieces to come.

Few are more substantial than the long opening movement of Brahms’ Violin Concerto, in which the orchestral writing provides both sublime support for the soloist and stands on its own as fascinating musical commentary and development.

From my seat on level 2 at the rear of the hall, soloist Alissa Margulis seemed rather quiet at first, though this was not the case on Radio 3’s live transmission which can still be heard until October 18.

She more than came into her own with the magnificent coda and, as if that weren’t enough, we then had the magnificent Adagio with its wonderful opening oboe solo, played superbly by Steven Hudson.

An absolute inspiration to every violinist, with hushed strings and horns adding their support this is almost beyond words especially with such lovely playing.

Then we came to Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony, the first in a monthly series.

Vogt’s style, with expansive arm movements and expressive hands and body language, clearly guided the players. Sensitive to all the dynamics, he coaxed the orchestra to play at their softest or loudest and indeed all the shades between in a very convincing performance.

The next concert in the Beethoven Cycle is on Thursday, October 23, with the 4th Symphony alongside Brahms Piano Concerto No 2; box office 0191 443 4661.

Peter Bevan