TO begin at the end.

Or rather after the interval.

The word masterpiece could have been invented for Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade.

This absolutely mesmerising symphonic suite is a BSO favourite and the Lighthouse patrons voted with their feet - to use a timely election metaphor, in packing out the venue for another spellbinding performance.

It is fascinating to observe every musician and instrument playing a part in this complex and intricate epic while absorbing each note.

Incredible to think that the composer took less than two months to put his best loved work together.

The first half of the Exotic Spice evening featured Claude Debussy’s exquisite, magical, dream-like and very familiar Prelude a l’apres midi d’un faune.

As Maurice Ravel said of Debussy’s work, “the only music I know which is absolutely perfect.”

Edouard Lalo’s Symphonie espagnole provided a change of mood and pace, with the delightful French soloist, Alexandra Soumm taking centre stage (at times like a whirling dervish) with her joyuous, dancing, frenetic violin. This five movement piece is infused with Spanish character and feeling and interesting was composed just before the premiere of Carmen.

The BSO was blessed with the presence of rising star James Gaffigan on the conductor’s podium, described as one of the most outstanding American conductors of today.

He is currently chief conductor of the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra. The beautiful Swiss city is twinned with Bournemouth.

This was another evening of triumph for the BSO, captured live on BBC Radio 3.