A CAPACITY audience enjoyed the final concert in the present series which opened with Beethoven’s Overture to Egmont.

The piece was inspired by a drama of Goethe, contemporary with Beethoven though considerably older than the composer, and Beethoven idolised him.

A great volley of horns introduces the work followed by woodwind and strings. A rising theme of strings gaining power before the whole ensemble soars in wonderful crescendo with a mighty sound from the bass drum, soulful bassoons, clarinets, oboes and flutes.

Northumbrian-born Nick Nowicki was the soloist in Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 2, which opens with a playful little marching refrain then continues as a powerful lead into the piano solo. There are very strong piano passages and clever orchestral work. Nowicki’s comfortably straight-backed playing style matched the marching mood of the music.

The introduction to the second movement provides the ultimate contrast and a feeling that it belongs to another time and place. Again, the full beauty and almost meditative quality of the music were demonstrated by Nowicki, who performed the lyrical second movement to perfection.

The three movements make considerable emotional demands on soloist and orchestra. Jackson led the whole ensemble with great sensitivity.

Cheers greeted the performance and a bouquet rewarded the soloist who is also gaining a reputation as is conductor and course director of the North-East Regional Youth Orchestra.

After tea and cakes, we had the pleasure of Serenade No. 1 by Brahms, another delightful piece, again with lots of horns, woodwind and drumming to enrich the opening Allegro molto.

Brahms creates a marvellous showcase for woodwind but also demonstrates the beauty of all instruments in the orchestra. A lovely piece of music beautifully performed, it was a worthy finale.

Irene MacDonald