THERE were many further delights in the second week of Lake District Summer Music's 2017 programme, one of which was the early music recital at Blackwell Arts and Crafts House, Bowness, writes CLIVE WALKLEY. This was the ideal venue for a recital of songs and music for virginals by the young soprano Gwendolen Martin and her accompanist Tom Primrose; its central hall is possibly no larger than the some of the rooms in which the music on the programme would have been heard when first written.

In a well-designed programme, especially devised for LDSM and charmingly and informatively presented, we heard songs by the great Elizabethan composer, William Byrd, Monteverdi and his contemporaries and Henry Purcell. Gwendolen Martin has a lovely clear voice ideally suited to this repertoire. Her enunciation was clear in three different languages and she communicated the meaning and emotional content of her songs very effectively. At times, a darker tone colour would have intensified the more dramatic moments in some of her songs but her interpretations were convincing and her technique faultless.

Later in the week came two recitals by the Berkeley Ensemble, a group that specialises in exploring little-known 20th and 21st century British chamber music alongside more established repertoire. Their two concerts - one at Kendal's St Thomas's Church, the other at Ambleside Parish Church - featured music by Haydn, Schubert and Beethoven alongside music by Ibert, Richard Strauss, Lennox and Michael Berkeley and Toby Young.

Highlights of the second concert were performances of Strauss’ Till Eulenspiegel and Schubert’s Octet. Till Eulenspigel, originally written for a large orchestra of around 100 players, on this occasion was presented in an alternative free arrangement for just five players. This in no way diminished the humour of this highly entertaining work which the quintet brought to life superbly.

Then came Schubert’s glorious Octet, again superbly performed by the whole ensemble. But more was to follow: horn player, Paul Cott’s clever arrangement of A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square brought this fine concert and an action-packed fortnight of music to a happy end. How fortunate we are in South Lakeland to have this wonderful feast of music presented to us annually. Long may it continue!