DYMOCK St Mary's Church was the venue for an extraordinary concert on Saturday, March 24. The Dorking Camerata, from Surrey, were invited to sing and their programme was really lovely.

They started with three motets by the 16th Century Spanish composer Victoria, followed by a setting of the St Matthew Passion by the German composer Schultz - this pre-dates the well-known Bach version. Much of the story of the Passion was spoken from the pulpit (by Bernard West), with interjections from the choir.

After an interval, Faure's Requiem brought us into the late 19th Century. Baritone soloist Ian Howarth gave us a sensitive rendering, in his big powerful voice, and soprano Stephanie Wright's lovely Pie Jesu stole the show with breathtaking clarity and beauty.

Finally, we were treated to two pieces by the Estonian composer Arvo Part, The Beatitudes, amazing music with repetitive phrases winding up like a clock, leading to a wonderful organ toccata. Then the Dorking group ended with Part's Bogoroditsye Dyevo (Russian for Ave Maria), a really exciting piece with short phrases punched out and requiring great precision.

The Camerata's director, Neil Cathmoir, has crafted together a remarkable team, and produced a great performance. The Dymock Church deserves a mention too, for its very good acoustic quality - and for the welcome we received from the churchwardens and their choirmaster, Bob May.

RAY BARDSLEY