Andris Nelsons becomes music director of the City of Birmingham Symphony in September. It was love at first sight between him and the orchestra, with the decision to hire the Latvian being made after just a single private concert and a few recording sessions. Though the CBSO introduced Nelsons in a short showcase last autumn, this appearance was the first chance to hear what Nelsons had to offer in an evening-long programme.

Certainly he scored full marks for novelty. Sandwiching works by Olga Neuwirth and Arvo Pärt between less familiar Richard Strauss and Shostakovich pieces was bold and imaginative, and all of it was delivered with edge-of-the-seat immediacy.

But the programme was suspiciously short on musical substance. The unattributed Rosenkavalier Suite does violence to some of the most radiant music Strauss ever wrote, which Nelsons' affectionate moulding could not disguise.

The UK premiere of Neuwirth's trumpet concerto, ... Miramondo Multiplo ..., could have been more rewarding, too. As it is, the five short movements served as a vehicle for Håkan Hardenberger's tingling virtuosity. He duly delivered, but it was the Piazzolla arrangement added as an exquisite encore that was the real highlight of the evening.

· Broadcast on BBC Radio 3 tonight.