Russian State Philharmonic Orchestra, Middlesbrough Town Hall

THIS was one of those experiences that are just unforgettable. Two stars shared the laurels – Natalia Lomeiko for her virtuoso violin performance and conductor Valery Polyanski, a star in his own right.

The Russian State Philharmonic Orchestra presented an all-Russian programme of music by Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky, with which the orchestra seemed to display a natural affinity.

Both the Tchaikovsky works – the Violin Concerto and Symphony No.5 are massive compositions, demanding considerable stamina.

Lomeiko, a professor at the Royal College of Music, is a prodigiously gifted violinist, hailed by Menuhin as "one of the most brilliant of our younger violinists". Her performance of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto was magnificent.

The concerto is very varied and demanding. It has grand formal themes and lyrical cadenzas, requiring a great deal of understanding and expressive musicianship to bring the work together. Lomeiko has a beautiful bowing style and met this challenge to perfection.

Another star of the first order was conductor Valery Polyanski, who played his part with his whole body – waving arms, gesturing hands, dancing feet, putting an enormous amount of physical energy into directing this great orchestra in Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No 5, a huge work lasting 50 minutes.

He was called back for two encores and only escaped by pointing to his watch and resting his head on his folded hands. The audience simply would not let him go. A great musical experience.

Irene MacDonald