Friday Night has been Music Night for the past 53 years, first of all on the Light Programme, then on BBC Radio 2, making it the world's longest-running 'live music' program on radio.

Every Friday at 7.30pm, the BBC Concert Orchestra is joined live on Radio 2 by artists from the world of opera and musical theatre, performing the very best of popular classics; on Friday 3rd March they were joined by soprano diva Claire Rutter, the baritone voice of Stephen Gadd and euphonium ace David Childs.

The broadcast took place in the form of a live concert to a capacity audience at the Chichester Festival Theatre directed by the orchestra'92s principal conductor Barry Wordsworth and presented by Aled Jones.

The programme featured an eclectic mix of repertoire to suit all tastes including; songs from the shows; 21st century film music; opera classics; and virtuosic showpieces.

Following the orchestra'92s opening contribution of Sussex by the Sea and By The Sleepy Lagoon, Aled Jones introduced the first soloists of the night. Claire Rutter and Stephen Gadd are world-renowned singers and produced a most memorable performance of All I Ask of You from Phantom of the Opera. Their voices were superbly balanced and a real sense of chemistry was evident not only in this item, but throughout the evening.

Next to impress the audience was a Friday Night is Music Night first; Aled Jones introduced euphonium soloist David Childs to make his debut with the BBC Concert Orchestra. The euphonium has been a relatively unknown instrument in the world of classical music, but in recent years no one has done more to raise the instrument'92s profile than this young man and he certainly did not disappoint with a floorless account of Hummel'92s Fantasy originally composed for viola. The orchestra accompanied sympathetically as David swept through a gambit of musical styles and technical hurdles with ease.

After further superb solo contributions from both Claire Rutter and Stephen Gadd, part 1 of the concert came to a close with an exciting medley of Klaus Badelt'92s award winning film score, Pirates of the Carribean followed by Johann Strauss'92 popular Roses from the South.

Pineapple Poll has been a favourite opening number used by orchestras throughout the globe for decades and in this performance under Barry Wordsworth'92s direction, Sullivan'92s score lost none of its drama and excitement.

Changing the mood completely, David Childs took to the stage once again to perform his own arrangement of Ennio Morricone'92s theme from The Mission, Gabriel'92s Oboe. In truth, when looking at the programme prior to the concert, I had a tinge of scepticism concerning a euphonium playing this most famous of beautiful melodies. However, my concerns were completely misplaced; for this reviewer Childs produced possibly the most memorable performance of the evening with a moving account of Morricone'92s music. The soloist'92s unique sound soared over the orchestra, at times creating moments of sheer beauty.

Stephen Gadd followed David Childs on stage and retained the high standard with a wonderful interpretation of Gounod'92s Avant de quitter ces lieux from Faust before Claire Rutter demonstrated why she is in such high demand throughout the world with a wonderful performance of Meine Lippen Sie Kussen So Heiss from Guiditta.

Following the orchestra'92s solo item of Massenet'92s Le Cid '96 Dances, husband and wife, Stephen Gadd and Claire Rutter joined together for the closing duet from Massenet'92s Thais, C'92est toi mon pere producing a magical performance. Following a superb ovation from the audience Aled Jones took to the stage once again and introduced David Childs as the '91Paganini of the Euphonium'92 to perform the famous violin showpiece, Carnival of Venice. This provided breathtaking virtuosity with a sense of clarity not associated with a member of the tuba family. At times Childs made it sound like there were two euphoniums playing at once, but after careful inspection I can assure you this certainly was not the case! Following calls for an encore the soloist and orchestra launched into Rimsky Korsakov'92s Flight of the Bumble Bee, taken at break neck speed! This really was brass playing of the highest order and provided the perfect close to Childs'92 contribution.

To complete the concert the BBC Concert Orchestra performed Tchaikovsky'92s March Slave, a piece based on Russian and Serbian folk melodies, including the Russian National Anthem "God Save the Tsar". Following several themes featuring various sections of the orchestra a processional carnival atmosphere is re-introduced with a jaunty dance rhythm. A parallel marching theme then follows, out of which the Russian Anthem re-emerges and blazes forth in magisterial triumph, leading into a most rousing of Codas.

A superb close to a fantastic concert featuring an in form BBC Concert Orchestra under the superb direction of Barry Wordsworth; two-world class singers in Claire Rutter and Stephen Gadd; a delightful and informative presenter in the form of Aled Jones; and a phenomenal brass talent who for many was the star of the show - remember the name, David Childs.

Well-done BBC Radio 2; another fine concert showcasing music at its best '96 live!

'a9 Simon Kennedy