AFTER 24 concerts spanning three years in Newcastle's All Saints, Northern Sinfonia's Late Mix series has moved across the river to its new home in Hall Two of the Sage Gateshead. With no pillars to impede views or humming heaters to distract during quieter passages of music, the intimacy of the new venue does full justice to the menu of chamber music on offer. And the hall's acoustic qualities were exploited to the full with its first Late Mix of two rarely played wind compositions.

The evening opened with Ligeti's six bagatelles for wind quintet; a showcase for the virtuoso skills of flautist Juliette Bausor, who wove her magic around the score. True to the composer's instructions "as though crazy", the performance was driven to a wild ending.

Next up was Mozart's Serenade for 13 wind instruments, a work conveying the full gamut of emotions. Conductor Douglas Boyd threw himself into his task, shaping the longer phrases into delicious dollops of sound, while keeping a firm grip on the sharper inflexions. The hall pulsated with unbridled energy in some brilliant exchanges - particularly between clarinettist Chris Richards and oboist Tom Owen.

It could have been their blazing conclusion that set off the fire alarm, leading to the building being evacuated. At least it waited for the memorable show to end.

* The next Late Mix concert features Ravel, Ligeti and Schoenberg at 9pm on Wednesday, February 2. Box office 0870 703 4555.

Published: 14/01/2005