The concert took the form of a continental tour, beginning with Respighi’s “Ancient Airs and Dances Suite no 2”. This Italian composer successfully combined period feel with modern energy. The next piece was from Spain, Rodrigo’s “Concierto d’Aranguez”, featuring guitarist Giacomo Susani, who delighted the audience and did justice to Rodrigo’s beautiful melodies.
Franz Liszt’s energising “Hungarian Rhapsody no 2” followed, with its enticing rhythms. Last came Vaughan Williams’ “The Wasps Suite”. Although the music was for a Greek play it featured very English-sounding melodies, as well as the splendid “March Past of the Kitchen Appliances” with periodic crashes.