AN audience comprising an overwhelming majority of elderly people was treated to a display of the infectious spirit of youth when the Philharmonia of the Nations appeared at Middlesbrough Town Hall.

The multicultural orchestra, which brings together highly talented young musicians from over 40 countries and five continents, injected an evening's programme with edge-of-seat energy and vitality.

Showing how the common language of music can transcend cultural boundaries, the orchestra began with Shostakovich's Festival Orchestra. Every twist and turn brimmed with exuberance as febrile strings and woodwinds romped home to a fiery climax.

The American pianist Derek Han then took on Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No 2. One of the most popular works in the piano concerto repertoire, it is also one of the most demanding. But Han tackled the task with gusto, his touch at turns feather light and emphatic, his runs a feverish flurry of sound. It seemed at times more wanted to come out of the work, but overall it was executed with technical perfection and flair. The highlight was the performance of Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade. The shimmering stringwork, swooning woodwinds, brash percussion, brass fanfares and rich harp painted a fantasy wonderland.

The orchestra, headed by conductor Justus Frantz, has discovered many stars, including virtuoso violinist Maxim Vengerov. If there is anyone following hot on his heels it has to be the orchestra's present lead violin Catalin Desaga. The Romanian's performance was pivotal to the work and his sterling solos enthralled, with the climactic gossamer note bringing the house down. The only disconcerting thing to note was the pitiful number of young people in the audience.

Published: 09/03/2004