BOTH pieces in last night's Elgar Unmasked concert at the Lighthouse were unfamiliar to me and I may not rush to seek them out again.

But the exceptional quality of the performance by the BSO and Russian soloist Kirill Gerstein left me very glad I went along.

The delicacy and clarity of Gerstein's performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No.4 was breathtaking - quietly expressive during the more intimate moments and displaying a dazzling virtuosity in the more complex flourishes and exposition.

He achieved the rare feat of making a performance seem effortless while still displaying passion and inspiring the same in the audience.

The orchestra, under the baton of Vassily Sinaisky, was splendid from start to finish - perhaps their best performance that I have witnessed.

They played the Beethoven as Beethoven should be played, keeping a steady tempo and letting the succession of exuberant rhythms and lyrical passages maintain momentum.

Then Elgar's Symphony No.2 - to my mind encapsulating both the composer's best and worst tendencies.

But the BSO were crisp and precise where the rhythms were cluttered, brassy or reflective as called upon, and shone particularly throughout the powerful second movement with its strident theme.

The symphony is full of contrasting moods (and the transition from Beethoven to Elgar is no less stirring) but under Sinaisky's sure guidance there wasn't a single jarring moment.

BBC Radio 3 were present recording for their evening 'in concert' slot. On the strength of last night's performance the BSO can expect a well deserved boost to their already fine reputation.