BOTH in Sage, Gateshead’s own Small is Beautiful series and in recitals across the region, it’s a joy to hear members of the Sinfonia performing in smaller groups.

This particularly enjoyable recital was by wind ensemble players including several principals from the orchestra performing music written for or inspired by the 18th century Harmonie wind bands.

The ensemble, playing pairs of oboes, French horns, bassoons and clarinets, got off to an ideal start with Johann Wendt’s arrangement of Harmonie Musik from Mozart’s Il Seraglio.

The five sections were very effectively arranged to produce a remarkably rich and full sound, concluding with the exultant Ha, wie will ich triumphieren.

In D’Indy’s Chansons et Danses, op. 50, from 1898, the line-up included a flute and one oboe with D’Indy varying the instrumental combinations to great effect and here and throughout one was aware just how well these players were able to blend their sounds.

Ibert’s Trois pieces breves was a pleasing addition to the programme contrasting some cheerful, almost hectic playing with a slow insinuating movement.

Jonathan Dove’s Figures in the Garden, commissioned by Glyndebourne in 1991, was inspired by the wind bands often heard in Mozart operas and here there were even more varied combinations with some particularly beautiful effects and many complicated rhythms.

The evening was rounded off with Mozart’s magnificent Serenade in E flat major, K375 with the writing and playing so expressive and eloquent and everything slotting together just perfectly.

Peter Bevan