I CAME away from this Wessex Youth Orchestra Gala Concert with a heart-warming glow of satisfaction, having just heard playing of an astonishing standard.

Celebrating their 40th anniversary, the organisations involved have every reason to be proud of their support for these talented young musicians, here ranging from nine to 18 years of age. Sprinkled with guests and former WYO players from far and wide, the concert, under the good humoured direction of Susanna Riddell, left a memorable impression.

The major work, Rimsky-Korsakov’s colourful portrayal of Scheherazade’s life-preserving tales, invoked the awesome appearance of grumpy old Sultan Shahriar, contrasted by the sultry playing of invited solo violinist Clare Duckworth with Scheherazade’s beautiful theme.

The orchestra captured the swell and turbulence of the sea and throughout the performance there were many instances of professional quality playing from the WYO’s principals.

The opening overture, Glinka’s Ruslan and Ludmilla, was delivered with sparkling dash and verve and followed by the Introduction and Gopak from Mussorgsky’s Sorochinsky Fair. I cannot imagine what ghastly insights Susanna imparted to her players, but when it came to the bewitchingly scary Night on a Bare Mountain the orchestra conveyed its brilliant dances and macabre pounding rhythms with tremendous aplomb.