Seasonal Programme – Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra, Evelina Puzaite (piano), Barry Wordsworth (conductor)

The Hansel and Gretel overture wove a magical spell which blossomed into the Dohnányi Variations, with the added glamour of Evelina Puzaite. How come there were any spare seats for a concert as charming as this? Happily, there were plenty of delighted children getting a taste for the BPO and the quality interval ice-creams.

Then came the great treat: Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake selection, as enjoyable as a large box of favourite chocolates. Did we miss the dancers? Not at all. Barry Wordsworth conducted brilliantly, without a baton but with great elegant swan-like sweeps of his arms. Christmas has come early!

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, 11 December 2011

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Andrew Connal