In welcoming back the former leader of the BSO Duncan Riddell in the capacity of visiting conductor, I think the majority of us were grateful for his inspired choice of works. They were all from the great masters, yet their concert appearances are few.

Had Schumann made his Overture, Scherzo and Finale into a four movement work and appended a number its symphonic status would likely have been assured. Every movement had its charms and stature fully endorsed by the BSO players; its buoyant melodies and rhythms made memorable.

Riddell's preferred position is off the rostrum, directing from the violin with his usual élan. Maybe it wasn't intended as a Valentine Days' gift, yet Dvorak's Romance in F minor is sure to melt hearts. From the outset high violins intimate its loveliness and Riddell's tender entry carried its air of beauty throughout.

Berlioz' Reverie et Caprice encompasses a fair amount of variety; fine double stopping, melody and allusions to folk rhythms superbly accomplished under Riddell's fingers.

Testing the orchestral waters, Brahms Serenade No.1 is symphonic in scale and its six movements were idiomatically assured.

Horns had a gloriously dominant part in several movements and Brahms' sonorous scoring was constantly in the flow. The Adagio was paced to illuminate every nuance as the momentum gained impetus, the finale a show of impeccable precision.