Thierry Fischer's mission to introduce new repertoire to the BBC National Orchestra of Wales' audience had a personal focus in this concert. As he explained to us, the boundary-breaking compositions and oboe virtuosity of his Swiss compatriot Heinz Holliger had been a big influence on him - and so the intensity with which he conducted Holliger's Tonscherben, Orchester-Fragmente showed his commitment.

The fragments alluded to in Tonscherben's title are reflected in a broken structure whose underlying energy coalesces periodically in moments of purity and poise. But the most compelling facet of the work was the audacity of the soundworld Holliger creates: stringed instruments were bowed but not always on the strings, while the woodwind and brass made their columns of air vibrate unconventionally - for example, by breathing rather than blowing into their instruments. Bewitched, I was forced to scan the orchestra and then, almost with disbelief, see that only the trombone players had their instruments to their lips. The effect was as surreal as it was beautiful.

Fischer's partnership with soloist Andreas Haefliger in Beethoven's Third Piano Concerto paid similar attention to detail. They emphasised the fine balance between the Mozartean model and a more radical treatment of rhythmic accent; with Haefliger indulging Beethoven's romantic lyricism, this was a refreshingly different interpretation.

The evening culminated in Strauss's tone-poem Ein Heldenleben. Fischer convincingly managed the awkward reconciliation of the composer's self-deprecating heroic swagger with his more poetic moments of intimacy. Lesley Hatfield's extended violin solo was a highlight in a stirring performance.