An evening of Culture at the Victoria Rooms, my old department from the Before Time at Bristol University. I don’t see anybody I recognise from ten years ago, but we are not here to be nostalgic, we are here to see a young lady fall off her piano stool trying to play Rachmaninov's third piano concerto. Well, and to support some people the Wife knows.

The Brunel Sinfonia is a local orchestra which performs under the banner of enjoyment rather than clinical precision. It is a bit of a surprise to see them attempting such difficult pieces, but everybody does indeed seem to be enjoying themselves. There is no signs of craziness from the performer, apart from the virtuosity of the piece and the orchestra of performers from just about every walk of life, from students to lawyers, doctors to retired teachers gives a stirring performance.

There is a strange, meandering overture from Borodin beforehand, and Tchaikovsky's 5th Piano Concerto for the second half. This is a lot easier to listen to than the Rachmaninov, which is more of a player's piece but still, the orchestra is impressive and not THAT out of tune. Okay, not at all out of tune. Well maybe that French horn, but who plays those, anyway? (sorry mum)