Ryan, Tritschler, RTÉ NSO/Ringborg

NCH, Dublin

Conductor Patrik Ringborg's debut last year with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra was an all-Wagner affair. This return appearance affirmed his aptitude across a much wider range. Subtle inspiration lay in the RTÉ NSO's choice of works. The first half offered a contrast less of style than of key, with the brisk A major of Haydn's Symphony No 87 giving way to the glowing E flat of Mozart's Horn Concerto No 4. Contrasts in the second half, however, were markedly both stylistic and psychological. To the intangible world of "dark secret love" evoked by Britten's Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings,a more explicit antidote could hardly have been found than in Strauss's Don Juan.

Ringborg secured playing that began well and just kept getting better. A certain rusticity to the woodwind solos, not to mention some invigorating blasts from the horns, brought distinctive flavours to the Haydn symphony. Rather than mimicking a period-instrument manner in the classical items, the optimally reduced string section focused on tidiness, polite phrasing and an agreeable averaging out of vibrato.

At full strength, the strings' disciplined approach did notable justice to the intricacies not only of Britten's accompaniments, but also of Strauss's exacting score. For the entire orchestra, indeed, Ringborg's astutely febrile reading of Don Juanproved a conspicuous technical success.

Both the concerto and the Serenadewere adroitly furnished with an infallibly gorgeous tone by Dubliner John Ryan, principal horn of the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

And by virtue of single-minded clarity and sheer vocal elegance, the Serenadewas, for tenor soloist Robin Tritschler, an indelible finest hour.