WHEN four of an orchestra's principals combine to form a chamber ensemble there will be, almost inevitably, some less-than-perfect-moments.

So it proved at the Kendal Midday Concert Club's recent recital when the Northern Sinfonia Chamber Ensemble played to a capacity audience.

Opportunities for performance cannot be regular and imperfection of balance, ensemble, tonal quality and rhythmic exactitude were occasionally present.

In honesty though, fine hairs are being split here because we heard fine performances of two flute quartets by Mozart and a Beethoven string trio, compositions that give each player an abundance of opportunity to display his wares.

In David Haslam the ensemble possesses a fine flautist who delighted an appreciative audience with performances exuberant with technical facility and Mozartian grace and charm.

His string colleagues - Bradley Creswick (violin), Michael Gerard (viola) and Alexander Somov (cello) - displayed fine artistry throughout, each devoting great care in illuminating the character and beauty of his line.

The trio, of wide emotional and dynamic range, dramatic, rhythmically vital and possessing a captivating finale, brought forth technical dexterity and emotional expression of a high order.