Did BPO have a transfusion of Czech blood during the summer break?

It would seem so from the all-Czech programme that opened its 80th anniversary season at the weekend.

It was a swirling, swinging and almost gipsy-style orchestra as it got stuck in to the Bohemian sounds of Janacek, Smetana and Dvorak.

There is always a buzz at any BPO concert and the buzz was louder than ever this time, maybe largely because the concert was being recorded by BBC Radio 3.

The afternoon opened with Janacek's Sinfonietta, a pretty five movement piece for orchestra and extended brass, full of nice fanfares and written as a tribute to his adopted city of Brno.

But it was the next two pieces which grabbed me.

These were the three dances from Smetana's opera The Bartered Bride and three of Dvorak's Slavonic Dances.

Almost as soon as the orchestra struck the first bars of Smetana's Polka, I wanted to throw away my walking stick, swallow a couple of glasses of the fiery Czech plum brandy and get to my feet dancing.

The Furiant and the Dance Of The Comedians followed and all were played with enthusiasm and energy. Strings, brass, woodwind and percussion struck out like thunder and it was rather like being at a huge party.

And that Bohemian sound was repeated in Slavonic dances which contain some of Dvorak's greatest tunes. As these folk tunes burst out, I wanted to be on my feet again.

The second half was devoted to the Dvorak Cello Concerto, always a scintillating piece.

Soloist Johannes Moser may only be 25 years old but he played like a musician with years of experience.

This cellist is masterly and he knows it. There was no forced modesty and no arrogance. He came on knowing he could do it and just did. He plays with knowledge and vigour and conductor Barry Wordsworth and his orchestra lent every support.

A great opening concert for this season, and you can hear it again on BBC Radio 3 next Sunday evening (October 10) at 6.30pm.