Friday evening's light-hearted concert given by a small group of musicians from the ESO and Fine Arts Brass, directed by Michael Bochmann, was one to sit back, relax and enjoy.

Strings began with Divertimento in B flat by Mozart, the dainty outer movements balanced with the slower middle one.

Fine Arts Brass joined in Handel's Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, trumpets tonguing rapidly as the well-known opening theme was sounded. They all continued for Golliwog's Cakewalk by Debussy and made the most of ritenutos and pauses, while various mutes used by the brass suggested comic moments.

Serenity came as Tchaikovsky's Andante Cantabile was played by the strings, its lovely melody poised high and pianissimo.

Concerto for four violins in B minor by Vivaldi was characteristic of the composer and each musician was allowed space to make solos prominent, and Bartok's Rumanian Folk Dances were unmistakably imbued with gipsy influence.

A selection of Gershwin melodies were brass dominated, as were pieces by Piazzola, Gillespie, Basie and Berlin whence solos by trombone, horn and trumpets emerged, and double bass and tuba were harmonic strengths.

Finally, all the musicians performed Minuendo by Pat Netheny, a piece of contrasts and changing times.

Malcolm Henderson read a passage from Paul Tortelier's autobiography describing a day when a butterfly seemed determined to be a part of his cello playing.

The object of this concert was to raise funds. Regretfully, there were many empty seats. The ESO's next Malvern concert is on Saturday, February 12 for Valentines'. Jill Hopkins