On Wednesday, September 16 Jim Russell presented a programme called '1685 and all that'. It opened with the Concerto for two Violins and Strings in D minor by Johann Sebastian Bach (b 1685).

On Wednesday, September 16 Jim Russell presented a programme called '1685 and all that'. It opened with the Concerto for two Violins and Strings in D minor by Johann Sebastian Bach (b 1685). This with its well known slow movement was played by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra directed by Jaime Laredo. Next came cascading notes and dampened string effects from the Harpsichord Suite No 4 by George Frideric Handel (b 1685) played by Glenn Gould. This was followed by the final four movements of Suite No 2 for Flute and Orchestra by Bach notable for its final noble tune. Then the Concerto for Oboe No 3 by Handel, the oboe played by David Reichenberg and with Trevor Pinnock conducting. The Italian Concerto in F major by Bach showed off the different effects from the double harpsichord keyboard played by Christiane Jaccotet. Then a chance to compare the early percussive piano with the mechanically plucked harpsichord via the Rondo No 2 for the Fortepiano by Carl Bach. Two Sonatas K336 and K317 in F Major for Harpsichord by Dominico Scarlatti (b 1685) were played by Gilbert Rowland. Then the S?ddeutsch Philharmonia playing Handel's Water Music Suite No 2 with a summation to this enjoyable programme being the Concerto in C minor for two Harpsichords, Strings and Continuo by JS Bach. On Wednesday, September 30 Edna Gill will present a programme called 'musical memories' in the upper room of the United Reformed Church at 7.30pm. Website www.thefrms.co.uk/lowesft.htm.