Edward Downes, who is president of the Serge Prokofiev Association, opened the concert with a spectacular performance of a suite arranged from Prokofiev's opera The Love for Three Oranges. Downes presented a range of bizarre musical scenarios, while the encounter between the Prince and Princess was a chance for the orchestra to shine in some exquisite love music.

The Cello Concerto in E minor, conducted by Paul Watkins, presented an introverted side to Prokofiev's art. Soloist Steven Isserlis held the audience's attention as if he was a master storyteller weaving an uncomfortable yet compelling tale. His sound was often immersed within the dark hue of dense orchestrations; this was entirely appropriate to the frustrated and emotionally fractured music.

Prokofiev and Eisenstein's film Alexander Nevsky is perhaps the most admirable and moving work of blatant propaganda ever produced. It portrays the heroism of a 13th-century prince and his people sandwiched between brutal Mongols and aggressive Swedes. Their exploits were intended to inspire Russians to defend their land against the rising threat of Hitler. Prokofiev later arranged his film score into a cantata, and Downes performed this version, aided by the magnificent Russian mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Gubanova and Huddersfield Choral Society. The BBC Phil, featuring a huge arsenal of brass and percussion, seemed capable of lifting the roof off the Bridgewater Hall, but were equally impressive in the more abrasive moments.

Amid the pandemonium, there are also many rapturously expressive moments in Prokofiev's score. Downes's conducting was expansive and lyrical, and he thrillingly explored Prokofiev's conjunction of the violent threat to his country and the brilliant valour of its outnumbered defenders. The marvellous choral climax was unashamedly sentimental. Although these days we may have problems understanding why artists gave such service to the Stalinist regime, Prokofiev's decision was triumphantly vindicated in this performance.