THE latest concert by Ripon’s St Cecilia Orchestra in this spacious church (repeated in Thirsk the following afternoon) again featured a particularly attractive programme giving opportunities to both string and wind sections.

Both were combined for the opening piece, Kodály’s Summer Evening, a wonderfully effective idyll for small orchestra which from the lovely cor anglais solo onwards seemed to feature almost every player at some stage.

The highlight of the evening was probably Mendelssohn’s String Octet given a fine and persuasive performance, particularly considering that most of the musicians were playing it for the first time.

The tuneful opening allegro was generally lively but with an occasional hint of mystery, followed by an andante that was remarkably gentle at times, before a delicately scampering scherzo.

The final presto was multi-layered, sweeping gloriously and energetically along with the whole piece held together by Oliver Baily’s subtle and sensitive lead on first violin.

Mozart’s Divertimento No. 3 (for the strings) received a more delicate and sensitive performance than one often hears while Dvorak’s Serenade for Wind (plus three strings) brought out some beautiful sonorous sounds displaying the full richness of this particular combination.

The orchestra’s next concert, concluding their celebratory 21st anniversary season, is on Saturday, October 21, in Ripon Cathedral with a performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 together with Cleveland Philharmonic Choir. Details at www.st-cecilia.org.uk and tickets at 01765 677413.

Peter Bevan