Classical; THE FIVE BEST CONCERTS

Last Night of the Proms Tonight

Among the usual festivities which draw the Proms to a close, a couple of premieres stand out - Hugh Wood's Variations for Orchestra and Thomas Ades's These Premises Are Alarmed. Anniversarians Hubert Parry and George Gershwin also get a look-in.

Royal Albert Hall, London SW7 (0171-589 8212) 7.15pm

Midori 13 Sept

Violinist Midori and pianist Robert McDonald turn their attention to three seminal sonatas - Faure's in A, Beethoven's Op 12 No 3, and Brahms's Op 108.

Wigmore Hall, London W1 (0171-935 2141) 7pm

Otello 16 Sept

English National Opera's first new production of the season is Verdi's penultimate opera. Directed by David Freeman and conducted by Paul Daniel, this Otello has a new English translation and is designed by artist Tom Phillips.

Coliseum, London WC2 (0171-632 8300) 7.30pm

BSO 17 Sept

Bruckner was in his sixties by the time he scored his first genuine success with the 7th Symphony. This huge work completes the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra's concert, which also includes Prokofiev's effervescent 1st Piano Concerto.

Poole Arts Centre, Poole (01202 658222) 7.30pm

Ernst Kovacic/David Owen Norris 12 Sept

It's been said more classical music has been composed around Vienna than anywhere else. The trend continues with the "Alternative Vienna" or "Third Viennese School" trio, and this opening Vale of Glamorgan Festival event showcases a lively selection of their violin and piano duos.

Bradenstoke Hall, St Donats Castle (01446 794848) 7.30pm

NEW RELEASES

Tippett The 5 String Quartets

The Lindsays (ASV)

Having given the premieres of the 4th and 5th Quartets, there is perhaps no better foursome to which the entire canon of five can be entrusted. This handsome two-disc cycle finds probing and intrepid playing, with the composer's acute sense of forms and structures ever paramount. Spacious and rugged, the engagement between means and methods is spellbinding. Undoubtedly the set to have. HHHHH

Handel Athalia

Barockorchester Frankfurt, Martini (Naxos)

Another fine new release from the Naxos stable, is Athalia, Handel's third English oratorio. Elisabeth Scholl is excellent in the title role, but fine support comes from the whole cast and the chorus. Buoyant tempi, sharp period sound, and atmospherically recorded. HHHH