By way of a prelude to this joyous concert the BSO’s CEO Dougie Scarfe happily proffered the ‘end-of-term’ thanks to everyone in one of the best seasons yet, despite the ‘age of austerity’. And Principal Conductor Kirill Karabits introduced us to his student-days discovery of German composer Johann Gottlieb Graun.

Two Sinfonias in D major, the first for small baroque orchestra, the second for larger ensemble proved very likeable; the latter liberally strewn with trumpet fanfares would make a fine recording project.

The big draw here, naturally, was Beethoven’s Symphony No9 ‘with Final Chorus on Schiller’s Ode to Joy’ as the composer prosaically put it.

Karabits’ sense of purpose catered for the epic and grasped the nettle of the first movement’s complexity with compelling fervour.

Maintaining the momentum through extended pauses between movements is something only the charismatic Karabits can successfully carry off-and doubtless welcomed by the players prior to the breathtaking Molto Vivace.

Here Karabits’ well-controlled dash paid dividends in scintillating rhythms at both low and high dynamic ranges.

Allowing a sensible break for soli and extra percussion to arrive, the Adagio’s lyrical respite and calming influence served to reinforce the dissonant calls of the finale, answered with deceptive rigour by tuneful lower strings.

The invitation to joy ringing out from bass Neal Davies-later to be joined by the equally superb voices of tenor Toby Spence, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnston and soprano Susan Gritton-was the spark to ignite Gavin Carr’s magnificent Bournemouth Symphony Chorus to raise the roof in a thrilling, ecstatic conclusion.