Russian viola player Andriy Viytovych gave a talk before the opening BPO concert of the season, in which he said he doesn’t suffer from stress.

Watching him front the orchestra at The Dome, his coolness and composure was striking.

His viola danced in and out of the cinematic backing of the BPO, the large ensemble shifting effortlessly from intense, pounding rhythms to playful, shimmering notes. The variety of string techniques on show was particularly impressive – at times bows struck strings with force, making for a rather chilling soundscape. At other points the delicacy of the fret work enabled the BPO to summon a sensation of giddy euphoria.

Renditions of Liszt, Walton and Tchaikovsky were performed, Viytovych’s nuanced playing dovetailing neatly with conductor Barry Wordsworth’s expert direction.

At the beginning of the concert, Wordsworth urged The Dome audience to each bring another friend with them next time to ensure the BPO’s profile continues to grow. I can only echo that sentiment.