THE posters for this informal recital, organised to raise money for St Agatha's and for Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, read "coffee, cake and music".

The intention was people would come in, have a cup of coffee, some cake, enjoy the music, maybe read for a while, and then leave. But many soon realised the quality of the playing and stayed.

Susanna Pell, who initiated these mornings, lived in London until 2007 when not jetting around the globe as a member of early music ensembles as a player of viols – ancient instruments that look a little like cellos but with a different history and more strings.

After moving with her family to Richmond, she teaches the viol and performs not too far from her home. She also plays with the Northern Early Music Collective, an ensemble of early music specialists which made its debut at the 2012 Swaledale Festival.

At this recital, she played on a copy of a 1720 French seven-string viola da gamba made by Jane Julier, one of the world’s most respected instrument makers.

There was French music by Marin Marais, written in the time of Louis XIV, and by the German composer Georg Philip Telemann, a contemporary of J S Bach, who wrote specially for unaccompanied viola da gamba.

There were also pieces by Carl Friedrich Abel, a German who lived in London from 1759, a popular viol virtuoso who set up a concert series with Johann Christian Bach, son of J S and known as the London Bach. It was said that when he died in 1787, "so died also the viola da gamba".

The instrument had by then largely been replaced by the violin and had to wait until the late19th century for a revival of interest.

Today there are many early music ensembles and viol players and Susanna Pell rates as one of the best.

Her playlist comprised numerous short pieces written originally for domestic rather than concert performance. Several audience members, aware they had stumbled unwittingly on a performance of rare quality, asked about the player and took away her details.

Ms Pell intends to give similar performances next summer for other good causes. Keep an eye open for details. We also recommend the cakes.

Janet Hall