THE LARGE audience present at the Watford Philharmonic's recent concert at the Colosseum enjoyed an evening containing many highs and very few lows. It was also an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of two local boys who have made very good indeed. David Pyatt and Jonathan Gale first encountered each other at school. Pyatt became the youngest winner of the BBC Young Musician, before embarking on a hugely successful career as a soloist and orchestral player, while Gale is rapidly establishing himself as an accomplished conductor and repetiteur.

Mozart's Vespers, was given a sensitive, well-considered reading by both orchestra and chorus. It is scored for a small orchestra, yet there was a sense of dynamic balance between them, the (significantly larger) chorus and the soloists. The underlying optimism of the text is augmented by Mozart's orchestration and, under Jonathan Gale's inspired conducting, was captured perfectly, while the tempi of the movements were keenly judged.

David Pyatt received a warm welcome and responded with a virtuoso performance of Mozart's 3rd Horn Concerto that served both to demonstrate his mastery of the instrument and Mozart's sublime talent as a composer. This was a performance of rare beauty. Pyatt's tone ranged from the dreamily mellifluous to the stridently powerful, yet it was underpinned at all times by an intelligent, sensitive musicianship and a flawless technique.

Haydn's Harmoniemesse closed proceedings. It is a strong work, and was performed with vigour. The chorus were outstanding, and all four soloists excelled, though the tenor was virtually inaudible on occasion. Despite this, and the frequently suspect intonation in the upper strings, it was a very enjoyable evening.

by Andrew Biggs