THE ESO and conductor William Boughton, in this 21st anniversary season, em-barked on a Brahms Cycle.

John Lill, one of our most distinguished pianists, joined them for Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, in a masterful interpretation. Together they carried this illustrious, tempestuous music through depths of emotion to heights of refined beauty. The soloist was eloquent and elegant in every detail, with thoughtful delicacy balanced by weighty strength. Super-latives are meaningless in this context: Lill, with his intellectual assessment, superior technique and maturity of understanding, together with an innate musicianship, gave a powerfully eminent exposition.

In the Adagio the subdued and expertly controlled orchestra, alternated with thoughtful piano episodes, before the final Rondo - allegro non troppo, where the pianist, in perfectly pointed rhythmic bravura, followed by the wonderfully singing orchestra, joined together in a final furious victory.

In Brahms's Symphony No. 1 in C minor the ESO continued on a high plane. The initial intensity of the drum, preceding the orchestra's relentless triplets and drooping figures, then the sweeping melody of the Andante sostenuto, sung by the violins, with oboe and clarinet responses, led to remarkable harmonic textures.

The fourth movement Allegro no troppo, ma con brio was impressive with plucked strings, sudden furies and accelerandos, and unexpected phrase endings, mellow horn and flute themes, all culminating in magical harmony, and a stunningly precise closing statement.

A worthy start. The cycle continues on October 26.

JILL HOPKINS