Wagner famously called Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony ‘the apotheosis of the dance’, and its infectious rhythms and bubbling melodies are indeed full of optimism and energy.

Before the interval, soloists step out from the orchestra to perform two double concertos of rare lyricism. Strauss’s Duet-Concertino is written for the striking combination of clarinet, bassoon and strings and its nostalgic, affectionate music looks back to the charm of Mozart. That earlier composer’s inspirational Sinfonia concertante for violin and violabrims over with effortless melodic invention.

'Virtuosic... precision-perfect'

The Times

4 Stars- Financial Times