Proms gets taste of Ireland

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Only 20 of Ferguson's works were published but they include some notable specimens. The Overture for an Occasion is no masterpiece but has genuine inspiration and is well crafted. Reminiscent of Walton in its lively rhythms, the character of the Overture was perfectly caught.

Stanford's Second Piano Concerto in C minor could easily be mistaken for an apocryphal Fifth of Rachmaninov's. (It even shares its tonality with the Russian's No 2.)

He may not have quite the consistently dark colouring and melancholic undertow of Rachmaninov but his melodies have a comparable epic-heroic sweep, and a tendency to unfold their long-breathed phrases over rippling arpeggiated accompaniments.

Finghin Collins dispatched the prolific figuration with effortless control, while orchestral blendswere impressively realised.

There was more quiet mastery in evidence from the orchestra in both items by Smetana and Dvorak.

The bubbling source of the mighty river that flows through Prague was beautifully evoked by overlapping woodwind semiquavers at the beginning of Smetana's tone poem Vltava. The frolics of a pair of liquid flutes were particularly delightful.

Impeccable blending, geniality and charm characterised the account of Dvorak's Eighth Symphony, while another delightful Ferguson piece as an encoremeant we had experienced 10 per cent of his oeuvre in less than a quarter of an hour.

BBC Proms: Ulster Orchestra/Montgomery
Royal Albert Hall
Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP