The Nobel Prize Concert is now a traditional element of the modern Award celebrations, given on December 8 each year, by chance also Sibelius’s birthday. Last year marked his 145th anniversary as well as the 95th of the Fifth Symphony’s premiere (in its original guise), though the programming of the final version was apparently entirely coincidental. Sakari Oramo elicits a decent performance from the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, building the tension very capably in the opening Tempo molto moderato and moving the Andante mosso, quasi allegretto along with a nice judgment, the brass snarling with real menace in their brief outburst. As usual, the concluding Allegro molto follows with barely a second’s pause (I wish conductors would give the music more room to breathe here) generating much excitement if not quite the incandescence Sibelius surely wanted.

For many the main event here is Joshua Bell who turns in a fine account of the Tchaikovsky Concerto, ably supported by Oramo – credit where credit is due, a fine orchestral accompanist. In the expansive opening Allegro moderato, both relish the inherent drama and passion as well as its winning lyrical impulse. The Canzonetta is sweetly delivered and the concluding Allegro vivacissimo dances along pleasingly. The resultant ovation was well deserved, as was that for Beethoven’s Leonore No 3, conducted from memory by Oramo and delivered with sincere relish by the players.

It is curious, given the concert’s high profile, that there is a want of atmosphere in the resulting video presentation. Not so much Swedish reserve as the video direction being less inspired than the goings-on onstage, with some rather foursquare and unimaginative camerawork, but do look out for the wonderfully expressive principal bassoonist. As a record of a notable event it does feel flat. The sound is not, however, so listen and enjoy. Of the bonus interviews, that with Nobel Laureate Mario Vargas Llosa is the pick.