Soloist Andreas Brantelid showed in the Elgar Cello Concerto how his exciting schoolboy promise has blossomed.

The talented cellist made his concert debut at 14 playing the popular piece with his native Royal Danish Orchestra.

Brantelid, now in his late 20s, looked entirely at ease as he extracted every ounce of emotion with his 1707 Boni-Hegar Stradivarius cello in a hugely confident yet restrained performance, preferring a hint of Edwardian reserve to 21st century “heart on sleeve” bravado.

In the doomier lower registers his playing resembled a highly tuneful creaking door opening on Elgar’s troubled soul, while all his musicianship respected the integrity of the concerto. He threw in a fine Bach piece as an encore.

Rimsky-Korsakov’s exotic Scheherazade gives plenty of opportunities for individuals to shine, and all soloists took their moments with aplomb.

Oboes and bassoons added mystery, with delicate flutes and piping piccolo hinting of the Orient. Leader Pieter Schoeman beautifully suspended the highest violin notes and principal cellist Kristina Blaumane charmed.

The bitter-sweetness and violence of the Tchaikovsky Romeo And Juliet Overture was well captured. Conductor Jaime Martin maintained enough momentum to stop the famous melody wandering into Sunday slumberland, and punchy brass provided excellent contrast.