THE Royal Philharmonic played last night to an appreciative audience in a full to capacity theatre.

This internationally renowned orchestra is a regular visitor to the Swan and undertakes several world tours each year.

The programme in Sunday evening’s show included popular classics such as Bizet’s L’Arlesienne Suite No. 1, Bruch’s Violin Concerto and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.

The highlight of the evening for many was surely Tasmin Little’s performance of Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1, a piece that has regularly topped the Classic FM ‘Hall of Fame’ chart, where listeners pick their favourite classical music.

Although because of this the music may be very familiar to some, it was a fresh experience to hear it live, played by such an accomplished violinist as Tasmin Little.

Her dextrous handling of the fiendishly difficult fast passages of the first and third movements was breathtaking, as was the beautiful tone that she brought to the second movement, the haunting Adagio.

It was wonderful to see a performer thoroughly enjoying herself; she must have played the piece a thousand times, but still gave it her all.

After the interval, the orchestra, expertly conducted by Bramwell Tovey, played Mussorgsky’s ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’ (arr. Ravel).

This piece really showcased the skills of the Royal Philharmonic with some really difficult passages, particularly one of the most well-known segments, the ‘Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks’.

All in all, this was a very enjoyable evening; the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra was a joy to listen to.