WHAT’S ON: Rejoice with Royal Northern Sinfonia and Chorus and Quay Choirs, conducted by Simon Halsey, at Sage Gateshead, 7.30pm on Saturday, and 3pm on Sunday. Presented by Blue Peter's Helen Skelton, the concert features carols and tunes to get into the Christmas mood. Box office: 0191-443-4661.

REVIEWS: Visions fugitives: Anna Gourari (ECM New Series 4811157)

Pianist Anna Gourari, a musician steeped in the venerable Russian school, explores the sound world of Sergey Prokofiev, with 20 fleeting pieces gathered in Visions fugitives – conveying mood swings from the grotesque to calm and melancholy to boisterous. The album also features Medtner’s Fairy Tale in F minor and Chopin’s Sonata No 3 in B minor. Superlative accounts.

Kabalevsky & Prokofiev: Leonard Elschenbroich (Onyx4122)

Cellist Leonard Elschenbroich, accompanied by the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra under Andrew Litton, gives a scorching performance of Kabalevsky’s little-known 2nd Cello Concerto. The album is rounded off with Prokofiev’s late Cello Concerto, written for Rostropovich.

Voices in the Wilderness: Krenek and Gal (Melba MR301145)

Just as they were reaching creative maturity both Hans Gal and Ernst Krenek were forced into exile from Nazi Germany. Violist Roger Benedict and pianist Timothy Young place their works under the spotlight. Highly recommended.