Mozart’s Flute Concerto in D, composed in a mere week, was a perfect choice to open the Royal Northern Sinfonia’s second Summer Chamber Series concert at Sage Gateshead.

The bright and breezy work exuded a sense of joy, with flautist Juliet Bausor making light work of its intricate runs and engaging in razor-sharp repartee with violinist Jenny Chang, violist Malcolm Critten and cellist James Craig.

Bausor’s wistful song above plucked strings in the slow movement was wonderfully crafted, while they all dashed through the exuberant rondo with cheery elan.

The ensuing music of Louis Spohr was in a similar sunny vein. He was one of the most successful composers of his day, but his work has gradually fallen from the repertory. One of the exceptions is his Nonet for flute, oboe, clarinet , bassoon , horn, violin, viola, cello and double bass. Spohr’s commissioning brief was to have each instrument “appear in its true character.”

Character was the operative word in the RNS performance, with each player drawing every ounce of expression out of the evolving four-note motif, which was passed seamlessly among the players.

The piece de resistance was Schubert’s String Quartet No 15 in G major. Violinists Kyra Humphrey and Jonathan Martindale, violist James Slater and cellist Ursula Smith gave a brilliant account that embraced the full emotional range.

RNS woodwind members took to stage for the third concert, opening with a scintillating account of Saint-Saens’ Caprice on a Danish Air. Spohr’s Quintet for Piano and Winds featured peerless playing by Bausor, oboist Timothy Orpen, bassoonist Stephen Reay and horn Peter Francomb. Special mention goes to pianist John Reid, who provided sterling accompaniment throughout the programme, which also included Mozart's Quintet for Piano and Winds and Poulenc’s Sextet for Piano and Winds.

The last of the Summer Chamber Series, with music by Wolf, Haydn, Martinu and Schubert, will be staged at 8pm on Thursday , July 31. Box office: 0191-443 4661.