WHAT’S ON: The 2009/10 Classical Season at The Sage Gateshead ends in epic style at 7.30pm tonight, with the first performance at the venue of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, plus works by Elgar, Wagner and Walton. Box office: 0191-433 4661.

CD REVIEWS: Bruckner: Symphony No 4, Osmo Vanska (BIS-SACD-1746) Osmo Vanska,renowned for his compelling interpretations of the Nordic repertoires, explores new musical avenues since being based in Minnesota with Brucker’s Fourth Symphony. The dramatically charged account comes highly recommended.

Bezaly and Brautigam: Masterworks for Flute and Piano II (BIS-SACD-1729) Flautist Sharon Bezaly and pianist Ronald Brautigam join forces to present a stimulating programme, including Poulence, Martin, Reinecke, Martinu and Messiaen.

Giulini in America: Los Angeles Philharmonic 6CDs (DG477 8840) When asked why he had taken up the post of music directorship at the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Carlo Maria Guilini replied it was an orchestra of young people hungry to make music. Energy exudes from accounts of key works from Beethoven, Brahms, Schumann, Tchaikovsky, Debussy and Ravel. Hours of listening pleasure.