Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra, Rob Clark (piano) Barry Wordsworth (conductor)

This season’s finale opened with a swagger, William Alwyn’s energetic overture ‘Derby Day’. His local connection was playing flute in the Brighton Municipal Orchestra, the Philharmonic’s illustrious predecessor, in the 1930s while he was a professor at the Royal Academy.

Bernstein’s enigmatic and jazzy Symphony No.2 (The Age of Anxiety) made an exhilarating concerto item, featuring Rob Clark who plays it for the Royal Ballet.

The wall of sound that is Vaughan Williams’ monumental Sea Symphony provided a thrilling climax, with soloists Elin Pritchard (soprano) and Nicholas Lester (baritone) soaring magnificently over a very energised and responsive Brighton Festival Chorus.

Coda: Look out in July for the Summer Season of chamber works by local composers and for the 2016/17 concert programme.

Dome Concert Hall, 20 March 2016

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