Finnish pianist, conductor and composer Olli Mustonen gave an inspiring display of musical multi-tasking when he directed The Northern Sinfonia at The Sage Gateshead last night.

His strength as composer was demonstrated by a stimulating rendition of his Vanha Kirkko Petajavedella (The Old Church at Petajavesi); a work written after a visit to a wooden church of the same name in his homeland.

In his programme notes, Mustonen explains that the first movement depicts the spirit of the builders of yore with “woodshavings flying hither and thither and the thundering of hammers”.

The scene was vividly conveyed by the cross-rhythms of busy strings and woodwinds, before the work moved into a more contemplative slow movement.

A scherzo entitled Demons featured a whirlwind of colour, while the fourth movement included a lovely lament from principal violist Michael Gerrard.

The thought-provoking composition was rounded off with howling winds and a snowstorm emulated by a piercing piccolo and shimmering strings.

Mustonen then took on Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 3 in C minor, injecting it with a vitality that was quite refreshing.

Standing at first to carefully shape the opening phrases, Mustonen then sat facing the orchestra, getting into a brisk stride as he directed the players from the keyboard.

Each note sparkled, with the slow movement played with the lightest of touches. A scorching finale drew whoops from some in the audience.

In the concluding half of the evening, Mustonen absolutely tore into Mendelssohn's Symphony No 4 Italian, setting an adrenalin-charged tempo.

While keeping a steer on the broader themes, his attention to detail was impeccable.

The dotted rhythms were played with exquisite timing by the woodwinds, while scampering strings under leader Bradley Creswick valiantly kept pace in an exhilarating race to the finishing line.

Mustonen ticked all the boxes.