IT was a bold and imaginative idea of Nic Fallowfield, conductor of Hereford String Orchestra, to begin their programme last Saturday evening with Lennox Berkeley's challenging Serenade for Strings. If the opening 'moto perpetuo' was a little tentative, the rest of the work, with its French influences and occasional spiky echoes of Stravinsky, was given an expressive performance.

The 'Hen' Symphony No 8 in G minor by Haydn found the players in happy mood, with the addition of some very capable wind players. The nickname of the symphony comes from the clucking sound of the oboe in the first movement which was well brought out.

Nic Fallowfield was the soloist in two Romances for Orchestra by Beethoven. He played with beautiful even tone and lyricism which suited these pieces, which could have been used as slow movements for a violin concerto.

Two small 'gems' by Walton from the music to the film Henry V were played in memory of founder member and former leader Marjorie Baker. This is wonderful, evocative and moving music, the 'Death of Falstaff' sombre and deep toned, contrasting with the song-like quality of 'Touch her soft lips and part', both played with deep feeling by the orchestra.

Many a professional orchestra would cavil at having to play another symphony at the end of the evening, but the players launched into Schubert's No 5 with gusto, making an energised end to a high-quality evening.

Pamela White