The last live concert I saw was at the Glasshouse, Gateshead. It was a performance by the Northern Sinfonia orchestra of Brahms’ Third Symphony, and Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 17. There was also a performance of a Ravel piano solo by Jean-Efflam Bavouzet.

The concert was a present for my birthday from my lovely wife, and it was just sublime. I’d never heard a live orchestra before and it was just incredible. I was a musician for many years and so I know a little bit about music at the rudimentary level, but this was way above anything I’d done. The level of playing ability was amazing. I just sat back and drifted into the symphonious sounds enveloping me. It really is worth doing if you’ve never done it before. I can’t wait for the next one.