Bach’s 2^nd Suite in B Minor received a lively performance, the spirit of the dance never far away. Flautist Amina Hussain made light of the difficulties inherent in her part – Bach is rarely on the side of those needing to breathe! Poulenc, whose Sonata for Clarinet and Bassoon followed certainly is, but there are plenty of other technical challenges which were adroitly met by Sarah Watts and Laurence Perkins. The string players then came to the fore in Britten’s Simple Symphony. Among the many highlights were the rich and resonant Playful Pizzicato and the lyrical phrasing in the Sarabande.

Pianist Jonathan Scott had his solo spot in Grainger’s Handel in the Strand, deftly played at breakneck speed. Copland’s Appalachian Spring, a work that David had always wanted to programme but whose costs (many extra players and rehearsal time) had put it beyond the club’s resources. He is held in such high regard that the additional funding was easily raised from members. It is a lovely score and the idiomatic performance under conductor Richard Howarth brought out both the sprightly and the tender aspects of the music.

The club had commissioned Arthur Butterworth to write a work for the same forces as Appalachian Spring and Tarka Op.142, was the successful result. Beautifully imagined for the whole ensemble this world premiere was warmly appreciated by the audience and a very satisfied composer who presented David with a signed copy of the score which is dedicated ‘to David Pyett’. What a celebration!

G.K.