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As the applause continued on and on and on... a lady turned to me: "You'll never hear a performance like that again." She was probably correct.

That Lutheran J S Bach set the Roman Mass in one of the finest works of the Classical Period is remarkable in itself. The interpretation of it we heard at the Amersham Festival at St Clement Danes School was not only remarkable for its clarity, spirituality and dedication - but was "different".

The use of a small choir of 20 was significant. All students of the Royal Academy of Music, they showed a commitment near-impossible with larger amateur choirs. Ten of them also sang the solos and duets. Natalia Brzeziska (mezzo), Richard Rowe (tenor) and Elias Benito (bass) stood out, while in conclusion Laura Trayhurn (mezzo) gracefully took "away the sins of the world".

The Festival Chamber Orchestra shone as it followed Bach's calculated selection of instruments - sometimes strings confined to cellos and double basses, sometimes with no violas; careful use of the bassoons and fine obligato support from oboe (Christopher Hooker), flute (Jennifer Stinton) and spectacularly the horn (Richard Wainwright).

And when Bach used trumpets and timpani, the effect was riveting. That leaves the true progenitor of the feast - conductor Iain Ledingham, once again demonstrating his interpretative brilliance, plainly based on meticulous rehearsal of his young singers, and complete understanding of the orchestral "pros".

Of his several highlights, I shall select just one: "On the third day he rose again". Here, Ledingham and his team truly demonstrated Bach's undoubted sincerity beyond any doubt. Bravo.

5:12pm Friday 4th April 2008

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