IT may be the same every year or it may be just my imagination but as the current BSO season nears the end, it simply gets better and better.

Wednesday's concert at the Lighthouse (Into the Light) was a wonderful, exhilarating, triumph with Beethoven's Fifth rounding off a stunning night, fully appreciated by another full house.

This iconic piece with its distinctive opening four note rhythmic gesture is, as the BSO's Terry Barfoot noted in the programme "the most memorable of musical ideas."

Beethoven Five provided the perfect vehicle for the outstanding talents of the players and of maestro Kirill Karabits, from the familiar opening to the triumphant finale.

It was also another reminder, although one is not really required, of just what a privilege it is to have a world class symphony orchestra on our doorstep.

And on the same theme, the audience was treated to another virtuoso performance by Sunwook Kim on Beethoven's Piano Concerto No.2 and as an encore, an emotion-filled performance of Sonata No 23, Appassionata. Ah, the power of music.

The evening opened with Haydn's Symphony No. 100 'Military' - delightfully charming, lively, positive and stirring.

This concert, without Haydn will be performed by the BSO on Sunday morning at Amsterdam's Concertgebouw as part of the 125th anniversary celebrations, ahead of the anniversary weekend in Bournemouth on May 19/20.