DURHAM Sinfonia's Spring Concert in the glorious setting of Durham Cathedral on Saturday was an affair to remember.

With this professionalstandard orchestra on top form under the baton of guest conductor Timothy Reynish, the concert began with a spirited rendition of Mendelssohn's Ruy Blas overture, which set the tone for an evening of excellent music and memorable performances.

The whole of the second half was devoted to Dvorak's Symphony No 9 (From the New World), a popular and wellknown symphony in which Durham Sinfonia placed themselves on a par with any of the great orchestras, giving a sophisticated and sensitive performance. Special mention should be given to Judith Rousseau, whose cor anglais solo in the second movement was beautifully fluid.

Before that came the Concerto. For the second time in just under a year, Durham Sinfonia had invited British virtuoso Geoffrey Silver to be their soloist. Following his seminal performance of the Sibelius Violin Concerto last May, he performed the Bruch Concerto No 1 in G minor.

The first movement's introductory phrases were played at a somewhat slower tempo than is often the case and were all the more effective for that. His resonant tone and lyrical phrasing kept the audience holding its collective breath in the slow movement, but the final movement showed off Geoffrey's prodigious technique to the full, with perfect double-stopping and cascades of glittering notes.

With an orchestra of this quality and attracting soloists of this exceptional standard, Durham should be justly proud of Durham Sinfonia - few concerts could have been more satisfying.