In the final concert of the Mozartfest presented by the ESO, Paul Arden-Taylor was the capable soloist in Oboe Concerto in C, K314/271K.

Horns and oboes added to the string orchestra gave weight to the rather heavily textured introduction to Allegro aperto. When Arden-Taylor entered, his playing nimbly encompassed intricate rhythms and ascending scales. His cadenza was a much decorated display of virtuosity.

The Adagio non troppo allowed us to hear the outstanding beauty of the solo instrument in long held notes and sustained melody, elegantly phrased.

A joyful Rondo: Allegretto, where the orchestra and soloist imitated each other, exhibited the prowess of Arden-Taylor's agility.

Michael Bochmann was director and soloist once again, this time in Violin Concerto in A, K219 Turkish.

As in the previous four concerti Bochmann gave a superlative interpretation, especially in the Adagio.

After a lengthy orchestral opening Bochmann's solo entry, thoughtful and high registered, progressed through perfectly timed tenutos and exquisite pianissimo phrase ends. His cadenza of chromatic double stopping, and cadential double stopped trills were accomplished wonderfully.

A cheerful, tuneful Rondo: Tempo di Menuetto with interspersions of Turkish influence, the mood captured by the musicians with exacting surges of scale fragments, prefaced a delicately achieved close.

Within this series we have seen how sensitive and sterling a musician Michael Bochmann is. It has given us the opportunity also, of hearing orchestral members as first rate soloists.

Divertimento No3 in F and Symphonies No13 and 17 completed the series.

Jill Hopkins