{TABLE} Symphony No 1 in D Op 25 Classical ......... Prokofiev Piano Concerto in G ........................ Ravel Symphony No 1 in G minor ................... Kalinnikov {/TABLE} Come the Revolution! is the arousing title for a new series of free BBC Invitation Concerts which are to be held in the Ulster Hall in August. Prokofiev's Symphony may not be particularly revolutionary in style, but as it was written just before, and performed soon after the October Revolution of 1917, it certainly fits the theme of the series. It is also in its way, a difficult piece, but, Alexander Anissimov produced a deft spirited performance which had plenty of nice touches.

Ravel's G major concerto is another work whose high spirits seem divorced from the circumstances of its composition, in this ease for the sad reason that the composer was already suffering from his final illness. There were traces of raggedness in the opening movement, but the Ulster Orchestra strings produced just the right transparent tone for the slow movement, and fine wind solos from the orchestra aptly partnered Philippe Cassard's sensitive playing.

Each of the concerts in the series includes a late 19th century Russian work as its main item, and as usual with the BBC concerts, unfairly neglected works replace well worn standards. The neglect of Vasily Kalinnikov's First Symphony is inexplicable. It has all the melodic freshness of Borodin and features one of the most haunting of all Russian slow movements. Perhaps the Finale, which relies too much on the themes of the previous movements, isn't quite up to the level of the rest, but this performance had such panache that for once one was persuaded.