Queen of Harps with John Rutter at St John's Smith Square

On her Proms debut, Ariane Matiakh spins tales from The Arabian Nights in two versions, along with the world premiere of a harp concerto inspired by the life of bees. 

Vasily Petrenko and the RLPO perform an all-Russian programme, with an exceptional Rite of Spring and charismatic playing from solo harpist Catrin Finch. 

If a giant played a tune on the cable stays of the Second Severn Crossing bridge, with its double span of fanned-out suspension wires, it would sound like a basso-profondo version of the kora. 

An allegiance to Welsh performers and composers is a major feature of this year’s tour by the National Youth Orchestra of Wales, with two native contemporary scores on the programme performed by a Welsh soloist and conductor. It could easily become cosy and parochial, but the results were amongst the NYOW’s finest achievements in recent years.

Two technical mishaps punctuate the evening, but Hilary Hahn maintains poise throughout a French programme crowned by a finely judged, deeply expressive performance of Fauré. 

A concert celebrating the 250th anniversary of the USA saw Liverpool audiences treated to a sumptuous Copland as well as a symphony  as well as a barn-storming performance of Gershwin and Duke Ellington, performed by Frank Dupree who was making his debut with the RLPO.