JOHN Davies, chairman of the Federation of Recorded Music Societies, presented a programme of recorded music entitled 300 Years Of Russian Music.

He told how early church music was sung without accompaniment as no musical instruments were allowed in the churches. Music performed in theatres in the early 18th century was mostly Italian, but Glinka changed the face of Russian music, which then developed through The Five - Balakirev, Cul, Mussorgzky, Borodin and Rimsky-Korsakov, followed by Tchaikovsky and, more recently, Rachmaninov and Prokofiev.

The programme began with O Natassia, and there followed examples of the compositions of the above composers, including Borodin's In The Steppes of Central Asia, the Song of the Indian Merchant from Sadko by Rimsky-Korsakov, and there was also music by Anton Rubenstein, who actually set up the Imperial Conservatoire in St Petersburg, although German by birth.

Much more up to date was the trojka and the waltz from Snowstorm by Spiridov, influenced by the poems of Pushkin as many of the earlier composers were.

The programme ended with triumphal music by the Ukrainian composer, Prokofiev, who had studied under Rimsky-Korsakov.

On Friday, May 4, six members will present a programme entitled I Don't Believe It at Wolverhampton Recorded Music Society.

For further details of any society events, contact vice-chairman Von Stewart on 01562 755990, or visit the website for details of events until the end of year at www.thefrms.co.uk/kidd.htm VON STEWART