The final Wednesday concert of the BSO's season in Poole was a chance to reunite with the magnificent BS Chorus for the incredible Verdi Requiem.

The evening was also broadcast live on BBC Radio 3.

Led by Chorus Master Gavin Carr since 2009, the BS Chorus of around 150 singers were incredible to hear.

Tonight showed BSO's Principal Conductor Kirill Karabits at his absolute best and reinforced just how lucky we are to regularly witness his immense skill and talent.

Now in his sixth year with the BSO, he masterfully conducted the orchestra, chorus and 4 soloists with such passion. Aga Mikolaj (Soprano), Mariana Pentcheva (Mezzo-Soprano), Barry Banks (Tenor) and Alastair Miles (Bass) were also outstanding.

At around 90 minutes long, the Requiem shifts priorities between soloists, choir and musicians. The Requiem described as "a work of far-reaching and emotional magnitude" and by Classic FM as "in the 'blockbuster' category” hugely lived up to expectations and more, vibrating the very structure of the concert hall at times.

At its first performance at the Cathedral of San Marco in 1874, Verdi had to seek permission from the Archbishop to use female voices, reluctantly granted provided they stand to the side obscured by screens wearing black.

I was also astounded to find that this Requiem was performed 16 times at Terezín concentration camp under composer Rafael Schächter.

The Nazis felt it would humiliate the Jewish prisoners to perform a Roman Catholic work.

However, many drew huge strength from rehearsing and performing even though they often had to be replaced due to being transported to Auschwitz to die, a fate which later became their conductor too.

One of the most impressive components of the Requiem was the “surround sound” experience of the 8 trumpets both on stage and behind us. With the rare musical instruction "ffff" (4 times as loud), it was quite breathtaking.

A personal favourite was the Sanctus with its vibrant fanfare and heavenly choral tones, during which Karabits was captivating in his conducting.

Goosebumps abounded during Libera me, the oldest piece in the Requiem, where Soprano Aga Mikolaj astounded with her exquisite voice and range.

This was surely one of the real highlights of a fantastic season. Chief executive, Dougie Scarfe, said tonight: “It has been an absolutely tremendous season throughout... a remarkable journey”.

With next season's programme just released, there is even more to come.