THE Sage Gateshead was bursting to the seams for the latest appearance of The Northern Sinfonia - with an extra row of chairs put out to cope with the overflow. Sinfonia music director Thomas Zehetmair was indisposed, but Polish conductor Michal Dworzynski stepped into the breach to direct a programme of popular pieces.

The evening opened with a rousing rendition of Sibelius' Finlandia, a piece that became synonymous with the nation's resistance to its Russian bonds.

The highlight came in the shape of Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No 2, delivered with panache by the mercurial Freddy Kempf.

The backing from the Sinfonia was sensitive and uplifting, though at times Kempf did seem to be subsumed by the orchestral forces. He came into his own with the adagio, the theme opening with a graceful exchange with the flute, entwining in turn with clarinet and oboe, before being joined by swirling strings. The recital seethed to an electrifying conclusion, with Kempf feeding from a sharp repartee with orchestra.

The evening was rounded off with Dvorak's New World Symphony No 9. The most recognisable passage, associated in the collective consciousness with the Hovis advert, was delivered with impassioned feeling. Brass forms a mainstay of the work and trumpet, horns, trombones and tuba rose heartily to the occasion. More than a few people were humming as they walked into the night. It hit the spot.