SENSATIONAL – that’s the word to summarise a fabulous concert in which maestro Andrew Litton and the stupendous facility of pianist Stephen Hough united in artistic fulfilment.

Saint-Saens’ innovative musicianship was well and truly nailed to the mast in his spectacular Piano Concerto No. 5.

It is sometimes referred to as the Egyptian, but this is more to do with its composition there than any strong musical influence, though it is permeated with sounds garnered from his exotic travels.

Hough’s electrifying fingerwork unfailingly supplied every dazzling artifice with immaculate fidelity in the outer movements, eliciting an incredible sound world in the andante. Encore? Yes. Midnight in Moscow. Bravo!

And bravo too, for Litton’s powerful, penetrating account of Elgar’s Symphony No.1. With such a fervent nobilmente motto theme running through, there’s always a sense of period. That Litton’s assertive affection for this exceptionally great, sophisticated symphony shone through, transcending any such constraints with a majestic force attending its pulsating energy, is indicative of that high regard.

This is just the kind of concert that sponsorship from Nationwide can initiate. With Litton’s undiminished love of British music bringing a stunning performance of Walton’s Scapino Overture, the BSO players excelled in every way.