RSNO’s triumphant return to Caird Hall

In normal circumstances, one might look at a programme of music supplied by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and say “not that one again”, or comment on a work that was off the beaten track of established favourites.

But Friday’s concert in the Caird Hall was far from normal, the first live concert in Dundee by this magnificent orchestra for nigh on two years. Thus, the programme was, on paper, academic. But in reality, it was inventive and completely satisfactory.

Conducted by Rory Macdonald, works by Sibelius and Vaughan Williams topped and tailed the concert, but the middle piece of the musical sandwich more than made up for months of no-concert frustration for Dundee’s music lovers.

RSNO principal clarinet Timothy Orpen took every opportunity to make his Dundee debut memorable. Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto falls into the evergreen category of classical compositions, but Orpen elevated it into stratospheric heights.

His effortless leaping from top to bottom register and his sublime interpretation made this a performance of perfection that would be hard to beat.

The slow movement is one of Mozart’s most magic, and Orpen’s delicious pianissimo segue into the recapitulation was class, sheer class. So was the orchestra’s deft switch from full symphony to classical mode.

Sibelius’ Karelia Overture, which opened the concert, gave every section of the orchestra a chance to flex their muscles. This was a real symphonic experience, the brief horn motif from the more-favoured Karelia Suite did conjure up momentary familiarisation.

That was a symphonic experience that didn’t match that of Vaughan Williams’ fifth symphony.

This was triumph of sound, texture, orchestration and, ultimately, performance. The composer dispenses with regulation pivotal melodies and second subjects.

Instead, he masses layer upon layer of melody and counter melody, and the result is a work so full of warmth and comfort that you could cuddle up to it on a cold winter’s night. It was voted the greatest of all British symphonies.

This was, hopefully, a taste of things to come. More top-quality classical music from a top-quality orchestra. Can’t wait!