Performer: Julian Rachlin

History was never more relevant than in this musical observance of a modern political milestone.

The bonds between Kazushi Ono and the OBC musicians are slowly improving.

A Slavic treat from Jakub Hrůša and the Philharmonia saw an ebullient Dvořák's Eighth Symphony, a German-Hungarian-Czech combo, and Julian Rachlin an admirable last-minute stand-in in Tchaikovsky.

Julian Rachlin as soloist and conductor combines Beethoven's violin concerto and Third Symphony into one long story, told with great clarity by Royal Northern Sinfonia.

Italy viewed through the eyes of a Russian tourist, of visiting Europeans reading Dante and through the eyes of South American emigrées, with added tango. 

Julian Rachlin visits Royal Northern Sinfonia as soloist and conductor, infusing Sibelius, Mozart and Tchaikovsky with a spirit of dreamy romanticism.