Actually, the latter post-concert party was open to members on a paying basis and, while the choice of music was plainly a big factor in ensuring every seat in the concert hall was taken, with some people even being reluctantly turned away, 20 years devoted service as music director of the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra was undoubtedly a major reason.

Wordsworth pointed out that 20 years was half his professional career and for that the Dome faithful are evidently most grateful. And it seems that sentiment extends to musicians and colleagues alike at the BPO.

General manager Ivan Rockey wrote in a programme tribute: "That the musicians enjoy playing for him is, I hope, obvious. The commitment and enthusiasm he gives from the podium is infectious and he makes performances always exciting, whatever the repertoire.

"He makes rehearsals interesting and enjoyable - a highly valuable talent - with an approach that is hard working but always good humoured.

"He is one of those rare conductors who can be both authoritative on stage and 'one of the boys' off it."

And BPO chair Jackie Lythell OBE added: "Not all music directors . . . would be so excited about putting in an appearance at pre-concert talks, pre-season Friends' events, sponsors' receptions or other social engagements. Barry has shown again and again how much he wants to engage with the audience."

No doubt the BPO have come a great distance during his tenure and we are privileged to have such a superb orchestra on our doorstep.

Joining Sunday's party was the BPO's much respected president John Lill, playing the highly popular Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No 2. The BPO are blessed to have one of the country's top conductors and most experienced world renowned piano virtuosos in such positions.

The birthday concert opened with some ballet music, in reflection of Wordsworth's role as music director of the Royal Ballet Covent Garden, and could hardly have been more dynamic in choice.

Three pieces from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet fired the packed house and the Montagues and Capulets number from Suite No 2 never fails to evoke thoughts of dark, menacing corridors lit by flickering candles and men marching hell bent on revenge and retribution.

If the first half bombarded the senses, the second half was sheer joy as Wordsworth skilfully led the orchestra through Dvorak's Symphony No 9, From the New World.

Such familiar and popular themes are guaranteed to fill seats at any concert hall in the world but the BPO try to combine the popular with less mainstream, as highlighted in the final concert of the season next Sunday week (March 9, 2.45pm). Then they will again play their own commissioned work by Brighton composer Martin Butler, From the Fairground of Dreams, as well as a Vaughan Williams piece for one of the orchestra's poor relations, the tuba, and finishing with another recognised standard in Holst's Planets.

*Editor's note: Wordsworth also celebrated his 60th on the South Bank with another of his 'main' orchestras, the BBC Concert, which was broadcast on Radio 3. It concluded with Ravel's La Valse.