AN evening with a hint of Spanish passion: the Rapsodie Espanol of Basque composer Maurice Ravel, whom we tend to think of as French, was combined with the Ballet Suite No 2 of The Three Cornered Hat by Manuel De Falla.

Both the pieces brought the warmth of Spain to a rainy, windy Manchester evening.

Yan Pascal Tortellier was in sparkling form as he conducted The Shadows of Time by Dutilleux. He explained that this composer is considered to be the greatest living French composer, who happened to be a friend of Tortellier's father, so he had a special affinity to his work.

It had lovely moments, and Paul Turner, the orchestra's timpanist, was on top form, but it was not my cup of tea

Pianist Phillipe Cassard played Debussy's Fantaisie for Piano and Orchestra with Gallic panache, and he played Debussy's Water Music after the concert, in the foyer of the Bridgewater, as a free recital.

As Cassard has recorded all Debussy's piano works, he knows his work intimately and plays with intelligence and insight.

Tortellier is soon to step down as the Philharmonic's principal conductor, but thank goodness he will remain as the Conductor Laureate from September 2002.

BRENDA KEAN