The newly branded Orchestra North East launched itself in grand style with concert in Durham Cathedral. The band, formerly known as the Durham Sinfonia, spread its new wings under the baton of the Gateshead-born John Wilson; one of the region’s most exciting contributions to the international music stage. The well-attended evening, featuring a solidly Russian programme, opened with Borodin’s Overture to Prince Igor. Jennifer Murray played its lovely clarinet melody with affection, while the components were deftly woven together by Wilson. The orchestra has always had reputation for attracting top-flight guest performers; a tradition continued with the appearance of the Warren Zielinski, who fronted Glazunov’s Violin Concerto in A Minor. Written as single piece with no pauses, it tests the skills of the most virtuosic. Zielinski pulled it off with a dazzling cadenza. The second part of evening was devoted to Tchaikovsky’s dramatic Fourth Symphony. It is a work well suited to the cavernous acoustics of the cathedral. The opening fanfare of horns, bassoons and brass resonated to the rafters. The strings swirled and pulsated, with the movement featuring wonderful exchanges between elements of the woodwinds. The second movement opened with melancholic strains from the oboe, played with heartfelt conviction by Philip Cull, while the ensuing pizzicato chorus of the third movement was finely articulated. The percussion crashed into last movement, which was driven to heart-racing and quite thrilling climax. Mixed feelings may remain about the name change, but there is one thing everyone is agreed on - audiences are guaranteed music making of the highest order.