Conductor John Anderson and the the ASO launched into Sibelius’ Finlandia in decisive mood: the brass section made the most of their opportunities with playing of warmth and precision. Strings and woodwind tone in the hymn-like big tune was refined and the climactic fanfares were thrilling in their impact.

All the more puzzling then that Sibelius’ 5th Symphony did not scale the Olympian heights that might have been anticipated.

The work began promisingly enough with some gleaming brass and an impassioned contribution from the strings.

Tempi were correctly judged and we seemed to be set for a taut performance of one of the composer’s most concise symphonies. But the pace slackened and the intermezzo-like second movement seemed interminable; intonation was uncertain and the strings unsure of themselves in their extended pizzicato.

Things improved in the finale after a slow opening and Anderson built up to a powerful climax – the trumpet dominated brass perorations of the main theme were impressively played and the six concluding hammer blow chords finely judged. All in all though, something of a curate’s egg of a performance and, at 36 minutes running time, a good six minutes slower than the norm for this work. Sandwiched between the Sibelius warhorses, Schumann’s Cello Concerto found a winning advocate in soloist Matthew Sharp, whose cerebral introduction to the music sketched in some interesting background to this introspective work.

Sharp brings out the beautifully etched lyricism of the concerto and his transitions linking the movements were rich and smooth.

He drives the solo part in the finale with unrestrained abandon, each repetition of the march theme increasing in mania and urgency. A satisfyingly integrated reading then, which projected this under-rated concerto as an emotional whole.

After the Schumann, Dvorak’s Overture In Nature’s Realm (one of a set of three including the boisterous and sparkling Carnival Overture) was unusually placed just before the interval. Suitably hushed strings for the opening, sweetness of woodwind detailing and exuberant brass fanfares were dominant qualities of a well balanced performance.

The ASO’s next King’s Hall concert is on Sunday, November 15, at 7.30pm