Salle Church, 18 June 2011

by Michael Drake, EDP

A spectaculary sunset, summer rain, a rainbow and a popular concert programme, sponsored by Lewis Jarrett, were the attractions in the "rural cathedral of Norfolk" on Saturday evening.

Bach featured strongly, with director Philip Dukes the soloist in the Concerto for Viola and Strings in E flat; his mellow tones made an impact over thoughtful accompaniment and a free-flowing finale in which Dukes's bow hardly left the strings.

This was followed by the Brandeburg Concerto No 3: two movements only with its impressive harpsichord improvisational bridge and an effervescent first movement preceding a moto perpetuo finale of great precision and panache.

A hushed mood had been set very deliberately with Dido's Lament from Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, the melody beautifully taken up by solo cello.

Played much more slowly than the original aria, Stokowski's arrangement poured out Dido's anguish.

In contrast, a pacy Eine Kleine Nachtmusik showed Mozart's delicacy in a delightful Trio - forgiving a slight hiccough (the only one of the evening) at the end of the final Rondo - until Grieg's Holberg Suite completed the programme with well-rounded tone finishing with a lively dance which, nevertheless, had an icy edge to it.

All deserving of a "spot the tune" encore led by Dukes.

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