Saturday night saw a remarkable concert at the Abbey, where the Charity Symphony Orchestra (CSO) gave a rousing, full-blooded performance of Gustav Holst's "The Planets" suite. From the apocalyptic sounds of "Mars- bringer of War" through to the mystical ending of "Neptune"- where the unaccompanied wordless choir of women's voices held a packed and appreciative Abbey audience spell-bound. 

The evening began with Holst's Fugal Overture- much less well-known than his masterpiece, but a brilliant start to the concert, showing what a master of orchestration can achieve. Holst was born 150 years ago, and the charity supported at the concert was, appropriately, the Princess Anne Hospital Priority Fund.

The orchestra next played Vaughan Williams' "Five Variants on Dives and Lazarus"- the cellos excelling in the final variation, and William Walton's "Spitfire Prelude and Fugue", written for the wartime movie "The First of the Few" about the celebrated Hampshire fighter plane. The large brass, percussion and woodwind sections made the most of their chance to soar. 

The strings of the CSO have never sounded better. Under their conductor, Craig Lawton, the entire ensemble are certainly a force to be reckoned with.

Lindley Owen,

Wyndham Drive,

Romsey

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