Scherzando Strings, conducted by Maurice Powell, who also acted as compere for the evening, entertained an almost packed church to a magnificently varied concert last Sunday, containing no fewer than three concertos: Telemann’s famous (but rarely heard) Viola Concerto beautifully performed by John Kinsella, Albinoni’s lively Oboe Concerto in D minor played by Andrew Cole, and the equally vivacious Cello Concerto in A minor of Vivaldi, with soloist Lillian Kelly.

The ensemble began with Purcell’s Music from The Faery Queene

Maurice, after regaling us with stories behind the music, also conducted the orchestra in Greig’s two Elegiac Pieces, Bartok’s Rumanian Folk Dances, and the lovely Crisantemi of Puccini.

The climax of the second half was the complex Lady Radnor’s Suite by Parry a wonderfully lyrical piece of English music which deserves to be heard more often. Prince Charles, a huge admirer of Parry’s music, would have loved if he had been present. A thoroughly enjoyable evening!

Scherzando, led by William Pickering, who founded the ensemble with Sue Harris-Cohen and Maurice Powell in 2011, is a collaboration between professional musicians from "across", and the Island’s most experienced string players.

We look forward to their return next year.

Julian Power