National Youth Orchestra Of Great Britain Victoria Hall, Hanley

IT WOULD be difficult to find a better way of melting the cold spell than with Wednesday night's concert by the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. Appearing at the Victoria Hall as part of the Stoke-on-Trent Festival's 40th anniversary celebrations, the aspiring team of young musicians worked their way through three challenging works by Rachmaninov, Bartok and Shostakovich to prove why they are the best up-and-coming performers in the country.

Starting the evening with The Rock, Rachmaninov's first masterpiece, the orchestra (aged 13 to 19) quickly settled to its surroundings, producing the technically demanding piece with confidence and understanding.

Led by young conductor Vasily Petrenko, the first half drew to a close with Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra, which gave each section a chance to shine, bringing rapturous applause to the hall.

The audience was on its feet as the final notes of Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5 brought the concert to its end.

The poignant history of the work, written at the time of Stalin's regime, was clearly portrayed.

Bold brass, subtle strings and perfect percussion ensured the evening was a success, showing everyone just how exciting Britain's orchestral future will be.

To be part of a season that welcomes the Hallé, BBC Philharmonic and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra to the Potteries is a fantastic credit to the NYO and it would be a pleasure to see them return.

Liz Rowley