THE initial impact of the Lakeland Sinfonia Concert Society's 30th season was one of absolute chaos; few people in the hall would have expected such ravaging of the ears as was presented by the opening bars of Jean-Fry Rebel's The Elements.

This extraordinary work is, in fact, the rococo composer's best-known composition and it was given a galvanising performance by the Northern Sinfonia under the charismatic direction of Thomas Zehetmair.

The orchestra surely one of the nation's musical jewels must receive constant inspiration through working with him; every note it produces, every phrase it moulds, every minutia of whatever nature is carefully illuminated and presented.

Zehetmair's every gesture is meaningful and his fastidiousness was apparent in each work of this refined programme.

Stephen Varcoe, in Bach's Cantata No.82, singing with compelling devotion, showed a total understanding of the glory that is the genius of Bach, although his lower-register passages were occasionally overshadowed by the orchestra.

Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante K364 was delightful. Zehetmair (violin) and Ruth Killius (viola), demonstrating impeccable musicianship throughout especially in the cadenzas were wonderfully supported by their colleagues who were ever-truthful to the spirit of the work.

Luxuriant tone, neat and precise passage work, rhythmic exactitude, strict dynamic control and near-perfect balance were features that were ever-present not only here but throughout the entire programme.

Brian Paynes