A LARGER than usual audience at Middlesbrough Town Hall was treated to a feast of Russian music from the venerable St Petersburg Symphony Orchestra. The programme started with a spirited rendition of Tchaikovsky's Marche Slave, setting the tone for the highlight of the evening - Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 3.

It takes a brave man to tackle this work, it has been said. One of the most demanding works in the repertoire, it is a test of virtuosity and stamina. The 24-year-old pianist, Igor Tchetuev, rose to the occasion and stayed the course with an edge-of-seat performance. There was a heart-stopping moment when a note was dropped at the outset, but it was soon forgotten as he tackled the score with energetic vigour and finesse.

Lyrical passages were treated with a mature sensitivity while his attacks were emphatic and authoritative. He blazed through the cadenzas; his fingers a veritable blur as they raced over the keyboard. It was something to behold and the audience thundered their approval.

His performance was a hard act to follow, but conductor Vladimir Altshuler gave it his best by extracting a pleasing account of Shostakovich's Tenth Symphony. The orchestra's natural affinity with the work told. A marathon event - but well worth staying the course.

Published: 22/11/2004