THE firmly established musical bond forged between the Northern Sinfonia and its musical director, Thomas Zehetmair, was yet again demonstrated in an electrifying performance at Newcastle City Hall.

The programme, which crossed all music, stylistic, cultural and geographic boundaries, opened with Schubert's Overture Alfonso and Estrella. So fast and furious was the driving conclusion that lead violin Bradley Creswick had a brief mishap with his bow. But he quickly regained his composure to lead the Sinfonia in some superb stringwork from Veress' Four Transylvanian Dances. A blend of modern and traditional, the Sinfonia drew out the work's exquisite lines with one charming theme seamlessly taken up by cellist Alexander Somov, Creswick and Michael Gerrard; milking his viola for all it was worth.

And then came three unwanted notes from a mobile phone - bring back the stocks, I say. The intrusion was mercifully subsumed by finely shaped playing.

A completely different direction was taken with contemporary Irish composer Gerald Barry's Wiener Blut, inspired by a mosaic of Vienna classics. Barry was on hand to show his appreciation for the Sinfonia's efforts. After a break came a mesmerising performance by Zehetmair, playing Schumman's Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra. At turns serene and edgy, his finely articulated and flawless bow work took his instrument to its limits. The evening was rounded off with Schubert's unfinished Symphony 8. Zehetmair, his conducting style a study in complete focus, elicited a muscular and heartfelt rendition of the work. The show was broadcast on Radio 3 on Friday and repeated at Middlesbrough Town Hall at 7.45pm on Saturday.

Published: 12/01/2004