REVIEW: Talkestra at Arundel

True, the great British holiday weather didn't quite inflict on us the chattering teeth and icy expanses of Vivaldi's winter, but the audience for Talkestra at St Nicholas' Church, Arundel, will doubtless have experienced elements of the three other seasons over the long weekend.

Whatever the weather, though, there was a warm glow about this concert which lasted long after we left in the cool of the evening: warmth between the audience and Talkestra founder Steve Dummer, as he gave a helpful introduction to the work in the first half, illustrated by excerpts of the music; and warmth between the musicians in the performance after the interval, led by brilliant guest violinist Nicola Loud.

Steve unpicked each of the four seasonal parts, highlighting the importance of the ritornello form in which themes are repeated throughout movements, but also introducing us to the vivid pictures suggested by Vivaldi's music '” singing birds, snoring farmers, drunken peasants, huntsmen riding out with their dogs, the crack of rifles, thunder and lighting.

His introduction was witty and informative, educational and entertaining, and above all, steeped in the enthusiasm which pervades a Talkestra evening. And so to the performance.

Former BBC Young Musician of the Year Nicola's bow painted in the details of the red priest's rustic scenes with her stunning playing on a 1714 Stradivarius which, Steve speculated, Vivaldi might once have heard played.

In Nicola's hands, the tone was rich and mellow, with a lyrical intensity and crispness at its best in the storm of Summer's third movement. But this was a true team performance with Talkestra's 11-strong band of regulars in fine form, too.

I really tried to listen out for the ritornello structure, but it was the demented cuckoo of spring and winter's cracking ice which came across more strongly in my mind. And that warm glow.

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