There are proponents of the jazz idiom whose brilliance crosses any perceived boundaries-Gershwin is among the finest-and exponents steeped in the traditions as here at this pond-crossing concert.

With Jose Serebrier on the rostrum the hot-seat was occupied by the extraordinary pianist Shelly Berg. The Rhapsody in Blue began with Kevin Banks’ impressive clarinet slide and thereafter Berg’s incredible, foot-tapping, free interpretation and stupendous solos brought the genuine improvisatory nature of jazz to an astonished and appreciative BSO audience as never before.

Dvorak’s sojourn in the USA was the catalyst for his last symphony ‘From the New World’. Full of nostalgic emphasis there is so much joy in this music and Serebrier has an assured empathy with migrant musicians. His account fulfilled the promise of the cheerful Czech with bounding rhythms and Slavic impetus carried on the powerful wings of reminiscence. And always aware of the subtle beauties, epitomised in Rebecca Kozam’s cor anglais tune in the Largo.

Receiving a ‘phone call out-of-the-blue from Gershwin’s 96 year old sister requesting some hasty orchestrations of short works resulted in the lovely Lullaby and also Three Preludes, rather undistinguished, especially when set next to the fabulous Girl Crazy Overture packed with all the best tunes in a mainly fast-moving romp. And then there were just three encores!