Performer: Czech National Symphony Orchestra

An all-day Beethoven experience European style with both highs and lows: much diversity revealed and exploited but of variable quality.

An imperious Barry Douglas provided a magisterial Emperor Concerto in an otherwise disappointing concert from the Czech National Symphony Orchestra.

Pavel Kolesnikov was at the heart and soul of a disappointing concert by the touring Czech orchestra.

An impressive performance from cellist Natalie Clein in Dvořák’s Cello Concerto did much to alleviate the woes of the real world.

On walking into the foyer of Colston Hall, I was greeted by the sound of a jazz band playing The Girl from Ipanema. This was not quite what I expected from the Colston Hall’s “Symphony Project”, but nevertheless a tasteful and welcoming opening, that created a cheerful atmosphere.