Bax's vividly imaginative tone poem, Spring Fire, a favourite work of Sir Mark Elder's, is inspired by pagan legends. It is a series of gloriously scored impressionistic sound pictures combining fiery youthful ardour with music that is hauntingly languid and sensual. Sibelius's profound and mysterious Seventh Symphony is a complete contrast. Lasting around twenty minutes it seems to encapsulate the elusive, elemental forces of a lifetime. The sensational young Russian Polina Leschenko has made no fewer than thirty appearances with the Hallé since her debut in the 2005/06 season, including at its 150th anniversary concert and on tour in South America. She returns to play Chopin's beguilingly expressive Second Piano Concerto.