WHAT’S ON

Northern Sinfonia, conductor Ilan Volkov, Sage Gateshead, 7.30pm tonight. Programme: Stravinsky’s Octet, Haydn’s Symphony No 60 and Shostakovich’s Symphony No 14 sung by soprano Joan Rodgers and baritone Neal Davies. Box office: 0191-443 4661.

REVIEWS

Boult: Vaughan Williams, Bax (BBC Legends BBCL4256-2)

Conductor Sir Adrian Boult leads this performance of the Sixth Symphony, taken from the 1972 Cheltenham Festival, which has a raw power. The album includes Williams’ Tallis Fantasia.

Silvestri: Tchaikovsky, Elgar (BBCL 4258-2)

The legacy of Constantin Silverstri has been done proud by this label, with each release keenly anticipated. This album includes Tchaikovsky’s No 3, which is delivered at a scorching pace and built to an excruciating climax and is rounded off with Elgar’s Enigma Variations.

Cherkassky: Schubert, Schumann’s etc (BBCL 4254-2)

This recital is presented as a centenary tribute to one of the world’s most magnetic and individual pianists. Shura Cherkassky plays Schubert’s Piano Sonata D959 and Schumann’s Carnaval, among others.