A NEAR-CAPACITY audience welcomed the Prague Symphony Orchestra on this, the final concert to be held in Middlesbrough Town Hall before the renovation of the premises planned to take place over the next 12 months.

With reopening scheduled for 2017, major concerts in the bridging period will take place in Middlesbrough Theatre, Linthorpe.

It seemed appropriate that we were offered an evening of Czech music by this famous orchestra, and that it should feature the work of two major Czech composers, Smetana and Dvorak.

In the opening work of the evening – Smetana’s Sarka – we again heard music composed for a political purpose. Stung by a perceived slight from a German conductor regarding the quality of Czech music, Smetana decided to devote his life to promoting the music of his native land. Ma Vlast (My Country) is a supreme example.

The conductor, Jan Kucera, is a highly versatile musician who performs all over the world. His conducting style is beautiful to observe – sensitive, precise and meticulously clear.

Sarka, the third movement of Ma Vlast, consists of five musical episodes. It opens with storm and passion, followed by a series of contrasting themes, including a beguiling clarinet solo, and continuing with great fury and drama.

Beethoven’s much-loved Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61 followed, with solo violinist Chloe Hanslip playing with style and expression, bringing to life Beethoven’s beautiful melodies. She gave a fine performance of this wonderful music which the audience applauded enthusiastically.

The final item on the programme was Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op.95 – From the New World. For this, the orchestra was augmented by a further six brass instruments, transporting us from the old world into the new with its fast changes of mood, volume and key.

Dvorak generously gives all the sections plenty of scope to play to their strengths, and the percussionist had a great time! This was a superb performance, full of life and vigour, which would be difficult to better.

Irene MacDonald