SIBELIUS' Fifth Symphony was inspired by the sight and sound of 16 swans circling overhead then flying off into the Sun. However as it was written between 1914 and 1919 it could be interpreted as an allegory of the War.

Opening happily, gradually growing stormy and menacing until hope returns and triumphs over adversity. The swans disappear into the solar haze like a gleaming silver ribbon. The symphony ends abruptly with six sledgehammer chords like the stilling of a violently beating heart.

Yan Pascal Tortelier, debonair as ever, conducted the Symphony with his exuberant Gallic charm. He made Debussy's 'Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune', into a breathing hypnotic creature, whose music transports us to times past and things forgotten.

Pianist, Stephen Hough, gave a spirited interpretation of Saint-Saens 'Piano Concerto no 5', which was full of flamenco rhythms. Subtitled 'The Egyptian', this music is redolent with the musical sounds of North Africa. A bravura performance from this talented soloist.

Combining poetry and sound, conducting his own work 'The Birds of Rhiannon', James MacMillan took us to another place, full of sound and fury, which included periods of wild, primitive hammering on metal sheets, gamelan gongs, magnificent percussion and choral high notes.

BRENDA KEAN

Bridgewater Hall, Manchester (to be broadcast on Radio 3 at 7.30pm on November 22, at 7.30 pm)