THE programme notes for the Amersham Festival concert, at St Mary’s Parish Church on Tuesday, by the London Chamber Strings, were accurate. The writer forecast “a spectacular evening of some of the finest romantic string orchestra repertoire”. That we also heard classic J. S. Bach and a modern novelty from Argentina were bonuses.

In fact the concert began with Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major, a fine opening that demonstrated the ensemble’s true metal and indicated what we could expect.

The novelty was “The death of the Angel” by the 20th century Argentinean composer of 1,000 works, Astor Piazolla, a dramatic short piece about a benevolent angel in the slums of Buenos Aries murdered in a knife fight. The very individual rhythms and timbre were highly erratic and explosive, with much effective use of “slashing violin glissandi”.

In the three principle works, the 18 string players, selected from 6 London orchestras, excelled. Their performances matched any other renderings I have heard - indeed the Grieg Holberg Suite was possibly the finest, with its splendid opening attack and polished, vivid interpretation of the baroque influences.

Barber’s beautiful Adagio for Strings was excellently paced, with much emphasis on the extremes of volume, with its fortissimo climaxes built up firmly from its pianissimo base, only to return there with placid strength.

While as for Tchaikovsky’s renowned Serenade for Strings, they produced the required splendour for the opening and closing passages; together with enthusiasm and excitement for the exotic waltz and elegiac passages that the composer seemingly produces at the drop of a hat.

All this was conducted by the young and promising Bjorn Bantock, who will surely “go far”. With a strong, but not too flamboyant presence, he controlled the orchestra to fine effect. (And yes, he is, I understand, a descendant of the prolific British composer Sir Granville Bantock) Applause was sustained, and an encore given - the delightful “touch her soft lips and part” from Walton’s Henry V film score. Indeed it is the moment when Pistol says farewell to his wife, Mistress Quickley.

Please forgive the pun when I say that I hope these musicians return, Pistol-like, to Amersham - and “quickly”.