The Royal Northern Sinfonia was welcomed back to Sage Gateshead for the opening of the classical season, following a busy summer tour taking in South America, the Far East and Europe, playing to over 20,000 people.

The Norwegian trumpeter Tine Thing Helseth had to unfortunately withdraw from the concert, but Tamas Palfalvi stepped in at short notice with a dazzling display of musicianship.

He heralded Aaron Copland’s An Outdoor Adventure from high in the auditorium with long silky lines over plucked strings. The ever-illuminating programme notes tell us the overture’s association with a school orchestra hindered its entry into standard repertoire. But conductor Lars Vogt had firm grip on its steady pulse and drew out its exuberant tunes, making a brilliant case for the neglected work.

The composer’s Quiet City, in contrast, was a tender musical contemplation with Palfalvi taking centre stage alongside oboist Michael O’ Donnell on cor anglais. Palfalvi delivered singing lines of crystalline purity in seamless exchanges with O’Donnell, whose warm tones provided the perfect foil.

Samuel Barber’s heart-rending Adagio for Strings, played at funerals of two American presidents, is a piece synonymous with mourning. Its poignant lines were warmly played by the strings, with Vogt building up a climax of exquisite intensity before serenity was restored.

The mood was lightened with a joyous rendition of Haydn's Trumpet Concerto in E-flat, which tested Palfalvi’s mettle to the full. The opening movement featured a sparkling cadenza with quicksilver runs, while the long languid lines of serene Andante were beautifully pitched. The whole was driven to a heady conclusion.

The evening was rounded off with a meaty account of Dvorak’s Symphony No 9, From the New World. Highlights included a plaintive melody from O'Donnell, while the orchestra's guest timpanist John Abendstern made his mark in a rousing climax.

The capacity audience showered the orchestra with sustained and enthusiastic applause.