Britain's oldest orchestra has established a firm bond with audiences at the country's most modern concert hall. And the Halle orchestra's latest visit to The Sage Gateshead served to reaffirm that relationship, with a varied programme of music under the baton of the inimitable Sir Mark Elder. Opening with one of Sibelius' lesser peformed pieces, En Saga, the orchestra clearly relished the acoustic brilliance of Hall One, as it conveyed the contrasting passages of this haunting piece to full effect. The lush phrases were hurled out with gusto while the soft shimmering strings were conveyed at a bare whisper.

Elder drew the components together to form a neatly proportioned whole. Next up was the dynamic Korean pianist Sunwook Kim, who applied his youthful talents to Prokofiev's uncompromising Piano Concerto No 2. Kim had full command of the work, opening with studied calm, before unleashing a torrent of notes in a blistering cadenza. His was as much a physical encounter with his instrument, with a healthy dollop of showmanship thrown in. His shock of black hair bounced with each emphatic attack, while he swayed from side to side in a seeming hypnotic trance during the poetic interludes. The audience loved it. The evening was rounded off with Elgar’s Enigma Variations. And few could be more qualified to direct this popular piece through than Elder; the pre-eminent interpreter of the composer. As for the orchestra, they would play it with their eyes closed, so familiar they are with every nuance. But it was a familiarity invested with an enthusiasm that drew out the colourful characters Elgar set out to depict with heartfelt conviction. Enigma radiated feeling, while Nimrod was exquisitely wrought. The audience erupted in appreciation. A sell-out success.

Gavin Engelbrecht