MADRESFIELD Garden Centre provided an ideal venue, on a perfect summer's evening, for this concert in association with the Friends of the ESO.

Pre-concert drinks and the availability of garden shopping made a pleasant pre-amble to the event.

Les Cordes Vivantes was the performing trio of Marie Oldland (clarinet), Sarah Hudson (violin) and Allan Brodie (cello) - an unusual combination of instruments, therefore all the music had been specially arranged from the originals.

Two of Bach's Terzetti with movements of varying styles, were followed with Divertimento, first by Haydn, then Mozart.

It was obvious immediately that the latter composer's music sat most comfortably with the clarinet, whereas the earlier compositions had been contrived somewhat in their arrangements.

In the Mozart we heard some beautifully expressive playing and a well-balanced ensemble.

In lighter mode, Sullivan's Trio from The Mikado, attractively arranged by Philip Moore, opened with a bold melodic statement from the cello, repeated by the violin, then clarinet, with a rapid final flourish as they all joined together.

Summertime and It Ain't Necessarily So by Gershwin were given smoochy readings before the Suite from The Victorian Kitchen Garden by Paul Reade. Composed for the TV series (originally for clarinet and harp), this excellent arrangement was by Marie Oldland. The first and last sections of flowing clarinet melody against plucked harmonic strings were a delight.

Sometimes the song of an exultant blackbird nearby, augmented the trio.

A delicious buffet supper concluded a most successful evening.

JILL HOPKINS