WHAT’S ON: Royal Northern Sinfonia and Chorus, conducted by Paul McCreesh, perform Handel’s Messiah at Sage Gateshead, 7pm, Sunday. Box Office: 0191-443-4661.

REVIEWS: No Exceptions No Exemptions: Great War Songs 2CDs (Signum Classics SIGCD401) This song recital by tenor Robin Tricschler and pianist Malcolm Martineau draws its inspiration from lives upturned by the Great War, including friends, foes and civilians. Some survived the conflict to produce great catalogue of work while others never made it home, penning their final songs in the mud of the trenches. Among the many composers featured at Bliss, Butterworth, Debussy, Delius, Ives and Prokofiev. Thought- provoking listening.

Invocation: Herbert Schuch (Naive V5362) Romanian-born pianist Herbert Schuch turns to his fascination with bells to produce a complete programme on the theme Invocation – the call of bells. Includes 20th Century works of Murail, Messiaen and Ravel, along with Bach transcriptions by Ferruccio Busoni and Harold Bauer. Highly recommended.

Mozart Requiem (BIS2091) Masaaki Suzuki and the Bach Collegium Japan present a new performing edition commissioned from Masato Suzuki, himself a member of the BCJ and the son of Masaaki. A stellar cast of soloists is headed by soprano Carolyn Sampson. Superlative account.