IT IS very encouraging to see Middlesbrough Town Hall will again present a programme of full orchestral concerts and its chamber concert series being extended, writes Peter Bevan.

This is particularly welcome as, outside of Gateshead’s Sage and the summer festival circuit, these are the only opportunities in the region to hear some of the finest symphonic music.

The orchestral series starts on Monday, October 6, with a return visit by the Russian State Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Valery Polyansky. Prokofiev’s Classical Symphony and Tchaikovsky’s 5th are attractive enough draws, but the series also includes Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with Natalia Lomeiko as soloist.

Next, on Tuesday, November 4, is the first of the classical chamber concerts which features up-and-coming young pianist Emmanuel Vass in a programme of Bach, Beethoven and Chopin alongside his own compositions and arrangements. Just before his recital, he will give a master class for young musicians from the area which is free to watch.

The following week, on Tuesday, November11, the English Piano Trio returns with Beethoven’s Archduke Trio as well as trios by Mozart and Schumann.

On Tuesday, December 2, the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Michel Tabachnik makes its first appearance here with Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances, Sibelius’ Violin Concerto with soloist Sasha Sitkovetsky and Saint Saens’ Organ Symphony.

Members of the Royal Northern Sinfonia will give two chamber concerts this season with a group of string players featured on Thursday, January 8, in a programme including quartets by Haydn and Debussy and E J Moeran’s Trio for Strings.

The wind players appear on Thursday, April 9, in a series of quintets by Danzi, Reicha, Holst and Barber and the full orchestra appears on Thursday, March 5, in another attractive programme including Mozart’s 4th Violin Concerto and his Symphony No 29 as well as Copland’s Clarinet Concerto and Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings.

In the remaining concert in the chamber concert series, on Tuesday, February 3, the Schubert Ensemble will perform Hummel’s Piano Quartet, Dvorak’s Piano Quintet and Schubert’s ever popular Trout Quintet.

Back to the orchestral series, and on Tuesday, February 17, the St Petersburg Symphony Orchestra will accompany pianist Noriko Ogawa in Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No 1 in a programme also including Shostakovich’s incidental music to Hamlet and Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet as well as Sibelius’ stirring Karelia Suite.

In a particular highlight for many, Manchester’s Hallé Orchestra returns on April 28 with soloist Viv McLean playing Ravel’s Piano Concerto together with Richard Strauss’s Suite for Winds and Beethoven’s 7th Symphony.

The orchestral series ends on Tuesday, May 12, with another highlight with the town hall’s premiere performance of Beethoven’s magnificent Choral Symphony given by the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Leeds Philharmonic Chorus and soloists conducted by Jacek Kaspszyk. Preceded by Schubert’s engaging 3rd Symphony, this concert in particular is expected to be in great demand.

To encourage new audiences, the town hall is offering free children’s tickets with adult tickets on selected seats and will present a family show called Pirates and Piccolos on February 10 and 11 (4.30pm).

The monthly Classical Café programme of informal concerts by local musicians continues in the crypt one Sunday each month from October 19.

Though individual tickets are available for each concert, there are discounts on season tickets and various offers including free tickets for subscribers.

The detailed leaflet is available at libraries and from the town hall on 01642 729729 or middlesbroughtownhallonline.co.uk.

The leaflet also gives details of two interesting performances at Middlesbrough Theatre.

On Wednesday, October 8, Young Opera Venture presents The Magic Flute by Mozart in an English translation by Jeremy Sams, and on Friday, January 16, the New London Opera Players present A Night in Vienna with songs and music by Lehar, Gluck, Mozart and the Strauss family.

See full details in its own brochure at middlesbroughtheatre.co.uk or telephone 01642 815181.