TWO of the region’s premier musical groups were in top form when they joined forces for a spectacular concert at Durham Cathedral.

Orchestra North East and the Durham Singers opened the evening with a glorious account of Hubert Parry’s anthem, Blest Pair of Sirens.

Guest conductor Thomas Blunt struck a sensitive instrumental balance with the singers, who were ranged in front of the orchestra and who delivered their swirling lines with a heartfelt conviction.

Durham Singers’ director Dr Julian Wright then stepped up to shape a wonderful a capella rendition of Saint-Saens’ Calme du Nuite. The reflective harmonies were crisp and diction impeccable.

Returning to Parry, the singers performed his Round Earth’s Imagined Corners with an infectious verve.

Violinist Geoffrey Silver conveyed the subtle singing lines of Bruch’s Violin Concerto No 1 with passionate intensity.

The concluding half of the programme was devoted to Saint-Saens’ rarely-performed Symphony No 3 “Organ Symphony”, with Blunt laying out his stall with a steady deliberation in the first movement.

The scampering figure of the second movement was underpinned by brilliant playing from beefed up ranks of cellos and double basses.

As for the grand entry of the Harrison & Harrison organ at the beginning of the third movement . . . the very foundations of the cathedral seemed to reverberate.

Sterling playing by organist Keith Wright was smoothly integrated with the different sections of the orchestra, with Blunt driving the finale to a thrilling climax. It was an exceptional experience.