WHAT’S ON

Thomas Zehetmair opens the new season at The Sage Gateshead at 7.30pm tomorrow.

Beethoven’s Grosse Fuge and Sir Michael Tippett’s A Child of Our Time. Box Office: 0191-384-4600.

REVIEWS

King Roger: Szymanovski DVD (C Major 702808)

Karol Szymanowski’s rediscovered Byzantine masterpiece features the Wiener Symphoniker, conducted by Sir Mark Elder. Scott Hendricks fills the baritone title role and Olga Pasichnyk is his queen, Roxana. The opera brilliantly evokes the conflict between Christian and pagan cultures.

Bach suites, Maxim Rysanov (BIS-SACD- 1783)

The young violist performs three of Bach’s suites, transcribed for viola by Simon Rowland-Jones. Rysanov who performs worldwide as a concerto soloist and chamber musician, plays with warmth and affection. A must for Bach devotees.

Bach: Brandenburg Concertos (Avie AV2207)

Apollo’s Fire, the leading American period-instrument orchestra from Cleveland, led by harpsichordist and conductor Jeannette Sorrell, supplies vibrant performances on this two-CD Bach set. The ever-popular Brandenburg Concertos is uniquely coupled with two Harpsichord Concertos.