ALCHEMY: a seemingly magical process of creation, transformation, combination.

It was another hugely memorable night at Poole Lighthouse, courtesy of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and the spellbinding Augustin Hadelich.

And it offered another opportunity to see how the BSO has been incredibly blessed to have the 32-year-old Hadelich as its young artist in residence.

And the German showed once more why he is one of the most sought-after violinists of his generation.

The reaction to his virtuoso performance: Wild applause, footstomping and cheers.

Conductor Thomas Dausgaard led another packed house through an eventful and atmospheric evening entitled Violin Alchemy.

With a long and very impressive CV to his name, Dausgaard conducts with passion, verve and excitement. He plays every note and is clearly an inspiration to the musicians.

It was fascinating to observe the intensity of his absolute concentration, one minute on Hadelich right beside him and the next, on the entire orchestra.

The concert opened with Richard Strauss' symphonic poem Don Juan, deep, dramatic and mysterious.

Hadelich was stunning as the soloist in the Violin Concerto by Jean Sibelius, the only concerto he composed. At times he appeared entranced by the power and emotion of the music.

The evening's third piece was Tchaikovsky's epic Symphony Number 4, composed in the most part in the most critical and turbulent year of his life, 1877. This was a stupendous and thunderous performance of Tchaikovsky's intricate and ingenious masterpiece, the finale bringing the audience to its feet, after the sublime Scherzo where the strings played pizzicato.

An unforgettable evening. A magical process of creation. Yes alchemy just about does it.