WHAT’S ON: Pianist Olli Mustonen directs the Northern Sinfonia, The Sage Gateshead. Mozart, including the Piano Concerto No 40. 7.30pm, tonight. Box Office: 0191-443- 4661.

REVIEWS: Hans Gal: The Two Piano Concertos etc (Avie AV 2182) Violinist Annette-Barbara Vogel and pianist Juhani Lagerspetz bring to life the appealing music of the Austrian-born Gal. Rich and texturally thick the music is at the same time elegant and nostalgic.

Rachmaninov Piano Concerto’s 2 and 3 (AV2192) Macedonian Pianist Simon Trpceski, conductor Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra are a formidable combination. Trpceski’s performance is flawless and delivered with passion, without sinking into sentimentality.

Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances etc (AV2188) This CD from the RLPO and the dynamic Petrenko also features the symphonic poems Isle of the Dead and The Rock. The youngest conductor in the orchestra’s history, Petrenko’s continued exploration of the Russian repertoire is authoritative and insightful.

Mendelssohn: The Piano Trios (AV2187) The Benvenue Fortepiano Trio perform Mendelssohn’s exhilirating Piano Trios with unbridled brio. A must.