The BSO continues to build a causeway across the swamp of these troubled days. Their socially-distanced, Covid-secure performances keep hope alive – until the scientists’ promise of freedom to meet up again can be realised. When shall we gather together in a full Concert Hall with instrumentalists sitting together to perform? Meanwhile the power of music to lift spirits was perfectly shown in the Poole Lighthouse on Wednesday and we must thank the performers, administrators and technicians who have made this miracle possible. Most especially, the evening’s conductor, David Hill.

Music certainly does not avoid expressions of struggle, though, and the Four Sea Interludes from Britten’s Peter Grimes seethe with feelings of fear, menace and isolation. How appropriate to this disorientating year. There is plenty of research to suggest that music expressing anxiety can help us to adjust to our own traumatic experiences – and here was further evidence. The brilliant orchestration was vividly realised and sharply executed.

By contrast, the cello is perhaps the instrument most suited to expressions of pathos, especially in the hands of the BSO’s principal cello Jesper Svedberg. His performance of Fauré’s Elégie was a deeply moving, but also strangely reassuring in its beauty. It was made specially poignant as a lament for the much loved and hugely respected BSO cellist and Trustee Roger Preston, who died on Sunday.

Elgar’s great Enigma Variations carry a wide variety of moods and messages: love, humour and commemoration are to the fore. The triumphant ending, though, conceived as a statement of the composer’s intermittent confidence of his own abilities, sounded like an affirmation of all that the BSO has achieved in the last nine months since normal service was cut sadly short.

It might be tempting fate in this year of unpleasant surprises to observe how well things are running at the BSO and at Lighthouse. But in terms of pointing to a better future, the company, under Dougie Scarfe’s indefatigable leadership, has led the way towards firmer ground and happier days.

Watch the concert highlights below!