KENDAL audiences are so well acquainted with the excellence of the Northern Sinfonia that, when an octet from Gateshead was recent guests of the Midday Concert Club at the town hall, it came as no surprise when its recital, too, proved to be thoroughly enjoyable.

Most of the principals of the Sinfonia were on duty for a Brahms programme that maybe resulted in a division of opinion as to the feasibility of arranging a group of acknowledged masterpieces for the piano (Op.119) for a mixed string/wind octet.

Glanert's exercise was worthwhile because new and colourfully-interesting slants were given to Brahms's textures and rhythms.

On the other hand, the piano's distinctive intimacy and other characteristic features of these particular pieces were impossible to reproduce; as is the case with Liszt and his transcriptions, the jury is out' on this debate.

We were, nevertheless, treated to delightful performances of these pieces and, indeed, of the Op.88 String quintet that followed.

A blend of sonorous richness and enticing delicacy of tone, finely-balanced ensemble work, concise rhythms, musicianly phrasing and a maintenance of the music's ongoing tensions were all hallmarks of a performance that was always faithful to Brahms's score.

A coda what a joy it is to see the extent to which all the players enjoy their music-making.

That enjoyment is certainly transmitted to the audience.

Brian Paynes