THE combination of wonderful music and architecturally beautiful venues makes the Swaledale Music Festival a rare feast for the senses.

St Andrew’s Church, at Grinton, is another of those churches we take for granted until the marvellous combination of music to the ears and beauty for the eyes really demands recognition of the unique richness of our culture.

The combination of flute (Juliette Bausor) and harp (Catrin Finch) is a magical one. It immediately seemed to cast a spell over the audience who almost fell into a trance.

The lovely music of William Alwyn’s Fantasy Sonata – Niaides was truly spellbinding. The genius of the two instruments allows them to perfectly conjure up an evocation of flowing water.

Saint-Saens Fantasy, originally written for harp and violin, lost nothing by being performed on the flute, and the two instruments answered each other perfectly.

It is little wonder that the harp is credited with being the music of the angels, and I think the flute deserves a place in heaven too.

A personal favourite was the Casilda Fantasy by Franz Doppler and Antonio Zamara, which showcased both instruments beautifully, demonstrating the fluidity of both while allowing the harp a degree of drama in deep rich chords, which was very effective. The whole piece was electrifying.

We were also treated to a fantasy by Faure, a tango by Piazzolla, a sundance by Mathias and Themes from Bizet’s Carmen. This rich and sensual combination of music and instruments brought ecstatic applause, earning as a delightful encore a habanera by Ravel.

Reviews Altogether a ravishingly beautiful performance by two first class exponents of their instruments.

Irene MacDonald