There can be few evenings more uplifting than one spent at Symphony Hall listening to a perfect programme of Russian classics. This was certainly the case last night, when concert-goers were treated to pieces by Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky, performed by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) and conducted by its music director, Kazuki Yamada.

Symphony Hall, with golden wood, gleaming organ pipes and soaring tiers of seats, must surely be a top contender for the title of most beautiful space in Birmingham; it certainly provided the most excellent backdrop to the beauty of the CBSO’s performance.

The charming Hisako Kawamura gave an outstanding performance of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No2. The work, which established the composer’s fame at the turn of the 20th century, was chosen as the greatest piece of classical music ever written in last year’s Classic FM Hall of Fame. It is said that, dejected by the poor reception of his Symphony No1 in 1897, Rachmaninoff stopped composing. During therapy he was encouraged to begin writing again, and this second piano concerto was the result. Many have drawn a parallel between the composer’s rise from despair to happiness and the progression from dark to light in the three movements of this concerto. It really is the most powerful, dynamic piece of music, where crashing chords contrast with softer moments, leading the audience through a whole range of emotion. Rachmaninoff’s piano music is notoriously technically challenging - Kawamura’s skilful performance left the audience spellbound.

Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No5 is equally dynamic and bewitching, but somehow sweeter and more lyrical. Like Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky was something of a tormented soul, with a mercurial temper and famously troubled by failed relationships and a brief, doomed marriage. While writing this piece, though, it is said that he was in a lighter mood. He wrote at the time about the pleasure of watching the flowers bloom in his garden, and this lightness of spirit can be heard in the beautiful, sweet melodies that run through this symphony.

The sight and sound of an orchestra in full flow as they race through classics such as these is truly thrilling. To watch Kazuki Yamada conduct is a joy. His enthusiasm, his evident love of his work, and his respect for his fellow musicians is infectious and cannot fail to leave the audience feeling delighted. The CBSO works hard to make classical music accessible to all and is to be congratulated on its efforts. A concert such as this is evidence that classical music is not the preserve of the elite; it is a genre in which everybody can find delight and which everybody deserves to experience.

Five stars

Kazuki Conducts Rachmaninoff & Tchaikovsky was reviewed by Rachel Smith at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall on Wednesday 18 June.