A VARIED selection of music, coupled with interesting anecdotes about some of the composers, made for another exceptional concert by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) on Sunday afternoon.

The theme of the concert – French Connection, with Bizet, Saint-Saëns, and Ravel featuring in the line-up, and two Russian composers – Rachmaninoff and Stravinsky – whose work had links to the country or was influenced by its musicians.

Led by conductor Jamie Phillips, Bizet’s L’Arlésienne: Suite No.2 was the first to be played, and it was the flautist who shone throughout the performance, often leading the melody, with the harpist joining for a sublime duet in the Minuet.

Classic FM’s Anne-Marie Minhall presented at the concert, introducing each performance with interesting facts about the work and its composer (for example, did you know Rachmaninoff and Stravinsky became good friends after the former composer brought round a large jar of honey to his contemporary’s house after hearing how much he liked the stuff?) One of the livelier pieces performed at the concert was Saint-Saëns’s popular Danse Macabre.

A unique and imaginative ‘symphonic poem’, it was a highlight of the concert, for me, to hear the piece played live for the first time.

Young pianist Alexandra Dariescu gave a stunningly adept performance during Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, which features Rachmaninoff’s signature chromatic flourishes.

Finishing the concert was Stravinsky’s exotic suite based on the Russian fairy tale The Firebird.

Promised by Anne-Marie to give the audience goosebumps, the orchestra delivered a powerful performance, successfully conjuring the magical tale to life.