On Wednesday, March 25 Marty Tebbutt presented a programme called Old and New. It opened with the ballet music The Three Cornered Hat by Manuel De Falla.

On Wednesday, March 25 Marty Tebbutt presented a programme called Old and New. It opened with the ballet music The Three Cornered Hat by Manuel De Falla. This a comic story concerning an old magistrate who takes a liking to a miller's wife. She in turn contrives to embarrass the magistrate and make him the village fool. Next an archive recording of the Russian bass Alexander Kipnis singing two songs, Der Linderbaum and Erlkonig by Schubert. The first tells of a rejected lover whose thoughts turn to happier times by the village Linden tree and the second song relates the tale of a malevolent sprite which preys upon a child. In different vein the Magnificant by Jonathan Willcocks combined the Latin words of the Magnificant with 15th century texts. It was performed by the soprano Carys Lane and the English Cathedral singers with the composer conducting. Following came a work called the Durham Concerto by Jon Lord. It was commissioned by Durham University and portrayed different events of the day like Rags and Galas and a Nocturne both notable for featuring Northumbrian Pipes. This varied and enjoyable concert ended with the Piano Concerto No 2 by Dimitry Shostakovich performed by the pianist Michael Houstoun with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra conducted by Christopher Lyndon-Gee. On Wednesday John Taylor will present a programme in the upper room of the United Reformed Church at 7.30pm. Website www.thefrms.co.uk/lowesft.htm.