Earlier that day in the Qube Restaurant the inimitable Laurie and Pauline had entertained lunchers with music and song. On the final day, last Saturday, more tales of Tudor times, with appropriate background music, were told at the Tudor Merchant’s House while, later that night, the chamber ensemble of the formidable King’s Consort, performed in St. Mary’s Church. The small but discerning audience enjoyed baroque chamber works by Purcell, Handel and Vivaldi played by Europe’s leading period instrument musicians. The occasion was enhanced by the lovely soprano voice of Lorna Anderson. The traditional end of the Festival programme provided a real treat for jazz lovers when the acclaimed Wyn Lodwick and his talented quintet, played late-night at the Royal Lion Hotel. There had of course already been a marvellous jazz brunch at the Fourcroft Hotel on the opening Sunday, featuring Claudia’s Jazz Masters so aficionados had enjoyed a double delight.

Something rather different was on offer the previous Thursday when Charlie Barber’s tribute to Beethoven intrigued some and infuriated others. Sound Affairs, which featured twelve musicians under the baton of the composer-conductor, also used black and white film and his own variations on a glass harmonica to set the tone for an evening best described as experimental but which certainly presented a challenge for the audience.

Earlier in the week, Luminita Berariu, piano, and Karin Leitner, flute, enthralled those present in St. Mary’s Church with Gems from the Romantic Era. Their delightful programme included music by J.S. Bach, Faure and Debussy. At the same venue, the previous evening, the London Piano Trio had entranced the audience with a programme of music by Brahms, Mendelsson and Armstrong Gibbs. These three outstanding artistes, Olga Dudnik,piano, Robert Atchison, violin, and Bozidar Vukonic, cello, had been rapturously received.

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