The Dome, Brighton, 9 October 2016

Introducing the new season, Barry Wordsworth pointed out the very wide range of music which the concerts cover and the equally wide range of conductors as he will not be seen on the podium again until next March for the final event.

Though the range of works we will hear over the year is certainly not in doubt, the choice for the opening concert was more problematic. Liszt’s Les Preludes is a rambling piece, closer to Weber than to Wagner. While the brass did well it was difficult to get to grips with its structure and it was only the occasional blaze of glory which held our attention.

This might have been acceptable if the following concerto, though not necessarily populist, had been more engaging, but Walton’s Viola Concerto is a dark offering. Andriy Viytovych was an adroit soloist, conveying the brooding warmth of the opening movement with ease but remaining serious and focused throughout, conveying a sense of introspection which did little to engage the listener.

After the interval Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony brought a greater level of enthusiasm and emotional contact. After a very slow opening it soon took fire and there was some exceptionally fine playing from soloists, particularly first horn and bassoon. Barry Wordsworth knows the work well and shapes long passages with ease and a real sense of narrative line. In the final movement the fast pace was wedded to crisp, clean phrasing which led to a genuinely exciting climax.

For their next concert on Sunday 6 November, the orchestra is joined by Brighton Festival Chorus for Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem .