The 2002 Three Choirs Festival ended in exultant celebratory fashion with Adrian Lucas conducting the Festival Chorus and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

Thundering of brass, timpani and organ, a jubilant unaccompanied chorus, some first rate singing by the gentlemen and trebles, came together for a multi-expressive Coronation Te Deum by William Walton.

It was particularly pleasing to hear Elgar's Sonata in G major, Op.28, orchestrated by Gordon Jacob.

This alluring, but not heard often enough, piece was given a majestic start by some beautiful violin playing and a solo clarinet. The second slower movement enraptured with a marvellous opening theme from the violas and cellos, prior to what was almost a salon dance.

The grand passion of the slow third movement was sensitively rubatoed and climaxed, and the last was a lively dance accelerating energetically to a stunning finish.

More stately music March - Orb & Sceptre of Walton followed before Elgar's Coronation Ode.

This was an evening of enthusiastic extolling, allowing brass and timpani plenty of opportunity.

However, within this work there were instances of relief from fortissimo climaxes and large orchestration, as in the softly sung True Queen of British homes and hearts which had a hymn-like quality, and the unaccompanied chorus's thoughtful Daughter of ancient Kings and Peace, perfect Peace.

Soloists Judith Howarth (soprano), Sarah Fryer (mezzo soprano), Lynton Atkinson (tenor) and Stephen Gadd (baritone) added variety in Hark, upon the Hallowed Air and augmented the jubilant singing of Land of hope and glory - which many of the audience would have liked to join in!

Jill Hopkins