WHAT’S ON

Northern Sinfonia leader, violinist Bradley Creswick, baroque music, the Sage Gateshead, 7.30pm, Saturday. Vivaldi, Bach and Corelli. Box Office: 0191-443-4661.

REVIEWS

Whirling Dance: Sharon Bezaly (BIS-SACD-1759)

Flautist Sharon Bezaly’s recordings are always eagerly awaited and the latest exceeds all expectations. This album includes twonewly composed works by Chung Yiu- Kwong, both dedicated to Bezaly, as well as a the arrangement of Ma Shui-Long’s concerto for bamboo flute and symphony orchestra into a concerto for piccolo and Chinese orchestra. A must.

Andrew Litton: Mendelssohn Symphony No 2 (BIS-SACD-1704)

Litton, conducting the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, gives a superb rendition of Symphony No 2, Lobgesang. The work conveys the victory of light over darkness, brought about by Gutenberg’s invention, the printing press. Litton brings the orchestra to the The Sage Gateshead on March 22 and 23.

The Sibelius Edition: Box 8 Orchestral Music (BIS-SACD-1759)

This fascinating series continues with a comprehensive compilation of Sibelius’ orchestral works. Suites, concert pieces, marches and works for tableaux feature with a number of world premiere recordings.