A WARM and friendly reception met the audience, some of whom had risen to the challenge of dressing up for the occasion, at the Parkhouse Centre on Saturday, February 7 when the Bude Concert Orchestra gave a spirited performance of Viennese Music.

Many members of the audience and the 35-strong orchestra had struggled through treacherous Ice and snow conditions to be present, but the only serious change that affected the concert was the change to one of the soloists.

The programme started with music by Johann Strauss, Lanner and Lehar and it was noticeable that the audience were quickly captured by the waltz rhythm of 'The Blue Danube.' There was a strong desire to tap one's feet in time with the music.

Steffani Benton's first song was 'Vilia' from the Merry Widow by Lehar. Her intonation was excellent and the rendition was very well performed.

The next item was a duet in which Steffani should have been joined by local tenor soloist, David Mitchell. David was unfortunately unable to get out of his Devonshire home due to the snow and at the last minute his place in the duet 'Love, What Has Given You This Magic Power,' was taken by another well known musician, Mike Richardson.

Lehar's 'Gold and Silver Waltz' brought the first half of the programme to a close.

After an interval for refreshments, an excellent performance of a 'Gypsy Carnival' opened the second half. It was played with great verve by Norman Higgins and well accompanied by the orchestra. The music was typical of Hungarian tunes known as Czardas which have sudden changes in tempi from fast to slow.

Violinists dressed up in gypsy costume used to play this music as they wandered around tables in beer gardens and ballrooms in towns and cities of South East Europe.

More music for dancing followed and Mike Richardson sang the lovely ballad called 'You are my Heart's Delight' from 'The Land of Smiles' by Lehar. The last duet sung by Steffani and Mike was from the Merry Widow 'Love Unspoken' by Lehar. This was sung with great tenderness and was much appreciated by the audience.

The final three items were probably the most famous compositions of Johann Strauss' 'Thunder and Lightning Polka,' 'Annen Polka' and 'Radetzki March.' The last item involved the audience in the well known hand clapping part in which they joined in with great gusto under the direction of the conductor Barry Carring­ton Moule.

Members of the audience left the building with the tones of the Radetzki March ringing in their ears and some were heard to say, when can we have another evening of pure musical enjoyment like this?'

The answer is probably 'about the same time next year!' However as a complete contrast the next Bude Concert Orchestra concert will be in St Olaf's Church at Poughill on June 13 at 7.30pm and will be a celebration of the refurbishment of the organ with solos played by Mike Richardson accompanied by the orchestra.