Instrument: Trombone

Conducting a programme of mostly 20th-century classics that could have come from his early glory days in Birmingham, Rattle was in his element.

The Chineke! Orchestra always aims at mixing the old and familiar (Beethoven, Ravel) with lesser-known corners of the repertory (Coleridge-Taylor, Walker). Anthony Parnther conducts with Kenneth Thompkins as soloist.

Rarely has so distinguished a group been assembled to give this work live; it would have shone as a highlight even in a normal year of visiting foreign ensembles and performers.

JoAnn Falletta and the Buffalo Philharmonic's string players present intense Shostakovich and luminous Arensky in memorable performances.

The performers in Part 1 of aus LICHT at the Holland Festival are amazing, but the production doesn’t rev up until the Archangel Michael goes on his dizzying world tour.

The evening left you in no doubt that in Donnerstag aus Licht is more approachable than many would imagine, as well as being a major creative achievement that is crying out to be explored by opera houses.

John Casken's intriguing new work for trombone and orchestra presents a musical interpretation of a Michelangelo drawing, along with superb Mozart and powerful Prokofiev.