Music-lovers have enjoyed a feast of entertainment thanks to the orchestra's residency at Lynn so, not surprisingly, a packed audience greeted the launch of the fifth season.

By ALISON CROOSE

Music-lovers have enjoyed a feast of entertainment thanks to the City of London Sinfonia's residency at Lynn so, not surprisingly, a packed audience greeted the launch of the fifth season at the Corn Exchange.

They were not disappointed. The performance of five much-loved works was impressive – and much-enhanced by the highly animated involvement of principal guest conductor Marin Alsop.

It was a welcome return to Lynn for the native of New York who, after making high-profile appearances in America, has taken Europe by storm.

Her style – a combination of the business-like with the dancing – left no doubt she was in command and the musicians responded with verve and enthusiasm to her direction.

Her dynamic influence was evident from the first bars of Strauss's beautiful Blue Danube Waltz and continued through the intense Adagietto from Mahler's Fifth Symphony.

An innovative inclusion was a work by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, a composer better known for his film scores. His Violin Concerto in D Major has a strong cinematic feel which graced the concert platform and enabled Benjamin Schmid to display his dazzling technique.

The orchestra continued to shine in Mozart's Overture: The Magic Flute leading to a thrilling finale, Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. Marin Alsop ensured this popular work could be enjoyed anew and the audience loved it.