Sala: Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool

In Liverpool, an exploration of gay themes makes Gavin Higgins' extensive and virtuoso Clarinet Concerto a work which will surely become a mainstay of concert programmes in years to come. 

The soul-searching of Britten's Cello Symphony, featuring Guy Johnston, finely complements the mystery of the Enigma Variations.

From melancholy moments to pure bravado, Petrenko's White Nights celebration is a triumph for both conductor and violin soloist Johan Dalene. 

The world premiere of Lunar Solar, Roxanna Panufnik’s concerto for oboe, cor anglais and orchestra proves a memorable centrepiece in the RLPO's concert also including symphonies by Weber and Haydn

Frank Dupree’s debut with the RLPO celebrates the 250th anniversary of the USA, with Liverpool audiences treated to sumptuous Copland and barn-storming performances of Gershwin and Duke Ellington.

Domingo Hindoyan nears his five-year anniversary at the RLPO with Mahler's Ninth Symphony. 

In an all-Russian programme in Liverpool, Alim Beisembayev gives a breathtaking performance of Prokofiev's fiendishly difficult Second Piano Concerto.

Aurel Dawidziuk and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra explore darkness and light, although the drama does not always bringing the audience to the edge of its collective seat.