★★★★(1/2★) PLANET HUGILL The Firebird’s entry was dazzling, full of crisp detail and then we had the slow beauty of the melody of the Rondeau. Kashchei’s dance was full of excitement but Gergiev never lost sight of the detail, and we had a terrific dash to the end. The Berceuse with its lovely bassoon solo gave the feeling that there was all the time in the world. the music flowed beautifully into the finale with its radiant sunrise and final, exciting tableau.

DAILY INFO This was a cracker of a concert, a gesture of intent for the season ahead which already looked on paper to be the strongest yet. Oxford music lovers are already looking like Cheshire cats.

SEEN AND HEARD INTERNATIONAL But Gergiev certainly drew melodic lines from the Oxford Philharmonic that were lucid and elegant, and some beautifully sustained notes from the oboe heralded the recapitulation. […] marvellously evocative playing from the Oxford Philharmonic.