THE globally-acclaimed violinist Anna-Liisa Bezrodny will be returning to Durham City for a concert with Orchestra North-East next month.

Following her captivating performance of Brahms’s violin concerto at the Gala Theatre last year, the violinist will this time bring a glimpse into her Finnish background as she plays Sibelius’s Violin Concerto.

Orchestra North East will appear under the baton of Timothy Henty at Durham Cathedral at 7.30pm on Saturday, October 11.

Sibelius’s Violin Concerto is one of the most technically demanding works in the violin repertoire.

This powerful work – famously described as being like a dance for polar bears - combines virtuosity and lyricism, from the tension of its mysterious opening to the thrilling dance and acrobatic leaps from the soloist that make up the final movement.

Orchestra North East will turn to German Romanticism for the remainder of their programme.

Wagner’s overture to Tannhäuser evokes the opera’s battle between earthly pleasure and spiritual virtue and its famous Pilgrims’ Chorus theme is prominent throughout.

Orchestra North East spokesman Peter Chester said: “To play this music in Durham Cathedral will I think be very special.

“Tännhauser was just made for a big space and that glorious Pilgrims’ Chorus always sends shivers down the spine.”

The concert will be rounded off with Brahms’s Fourth Symphony - one of the best-loved symphonies in the orchestral repertoire.

Mr Chester said: “There is beautiful writing for each section of the orchestra – glorious melodies built on the simplest of ideas, elegant phrasing, not a note out of place – a real masterwork that we are very much looking forward to playing.”

Tickets are £16, students £8, children under 16 free with adult.

Tickets available from Gala Theatre Durham www.galadurham.co.uk 03000 266600 or on the door. For more information: www.orchestranortheast.org.uk