The final rehearsal of David Metcalf's Cello Symphony, in preparation for its premiere at Llandaff Cathedral, was held at The Downs School, Colwall.

It had been commissioned by the English Symphony Orchestra, with conductor William Boughton and Raphael Wallfisch, the esteemed solo cellist, as part of the Vale of Glamorgan Festival, of which David Metcalf is artistic director.

Metcalf's symphony is composed in one extended movement, scored for orchestra with particular prominence given to harp and percussion, an organ continuo (though through necessity, a piano was used in this rehearsal), and the cello soloist.

Entrancing opening harmony swelled into splendid orchestral perspective diffused by harp glissandos and continuo.

Creative freedom of romantic rhapsodic melody rose gloriously from the soloist as he sang with other strings and woodwind.

A change of tempo and an inventive triplet figure dominated the soloist's theme, then reiterated and discoursed, notably with the bassoonist.

A fanfare featured as flutes skedaddled with the harp, the cellist now deep-toned in lower registers. A figment of ecclesiastical influence was heard as a tubular bell tolled slowly, and eight tenors and basses, members of Cardiff's Arwyn Singers, singing on vowel sounds, were an inspirational addition to empathise with the magnificent orchestral textures.

A dazzling climax was achieved as the full orchestra reverberated to radiating waves of the tam-tam. Then, shimmering beauty at the approach to a subdued end.

This is a lovely piece of lyricism - not the general fashion in contemporary music composition!

Beauty of sound and glorious melody in abundance was brought to fruition superbly by the ESO and Raphael Wallfisch; a most welcome addition to the repertoire.

Jill Hopkins