WHAT’S ON: Royal Northern Sinfonia at Sage Gateshead at 7.30pm on Thursday.

The concert features director Bradley Creswick, cellist Louisa Tuck and oboest Steven Hudson performing works by Elgar, Haydn and Vaughan Williams. Box Office: 0191443-4661.

REVIEWS: Julian Bliss: Nelson, Mozart (Signum Classics SIGCD390) Julian Bliss is joined by Royal Northern Sinfonia, conducted by Mario Venzago, in the Clarinet Concertos of Mozart and Nielson.

These twin examples of what can be achieved by composers who have been inspired to write for the clarinet are delivered expressively and with flair. Bliss includes two of his own clarinet arrangements of Mozart arias. Highly recommended.

Will Todd: Lux Et Veritas: Music for Peace and Reflection (Signum Classics SIGCD394) This new album from Will Todd with chamber choir Tenebrae and English Chamber Orchestra conducted by Nigel Short offers sumptuous, soothing and reflective music for all occasions.

Shostakovich Symphonies 6 & 14 (LPO- 0080) The London Philharmonic Symphony, conducted by Vladimir Jurowski, perform Shostakovich’s Symphonies No 6 & 14. The conductor grew up steeped in the music of the Shostakovich, his grandfather being a personal friend of the composer. It is a connection that radiates from these exceptional performances, recorded live at the Royal Festival Hall in London.