THE Westmorland Orchestra promises to paint a lush landscape of romantic music in its final outing of the season.

Conducted by Richard Howarth and led by Pamela Redman, the highly thought of orchestra plays Kendal Leisure Centre's Westmorland Hall, on Saturday, May 14 (7.30pm), joined by cellist Lucy Arch, as soloist for performances of both the Lalo Cello Concerto and Johann Strauss’s Romanze No 2.

With a sound background of orchestral playing with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, BBC Philharmonic, Hallé, Manchester Camerata and Chamber Orchestra of Europe, a recent performance of Lucy’s Clara Quartet at the Wigmore Hall and solo engagements of cello concertos, including Schumann, Elgar, Dvorak and Haydn, the accomplished young cellist possesses the ability to light up the hall with her exquisite playing.

Lucy describes how she loves the Lalo Concerto because of the simplicity of ideas and the fun it is possible to have with the music: "It's a lot more humorous than a lot of the other mainstream concertos," explains Lucy. "Which makes it extremely enjoyable to play."

Lucy adds that she's "hugely" looking forward to performing it with the Westmorland Orchestra and of course, Richard Howarth, with whom she has collaborated on many occasions, although she points out “this will be our first Lalo together.”

Lucy regards the Strauss Romanze for cello and orchestra as an excellent counterpoint to the Lalo, and although a lot more serious than most of Johann Strauss’s work, is very lyrical, beautiful and wonderfully relaxing to listen to.

The evening’s programme will begin with the overture from the fairy tale opera Hansel and Gretel, written by the 19th Century German composer, Engelbert Humperdinck. A brilliantly orchestrated work, the piece is full of delightful folk music inspired themes and from its first performance in 1893 has remained a firm favourite with audiences ever since.

From one celebrated piece to another, George Gershwin’s American in Paris is another feature of the ‘wonderful Westmorland's' programme conjuring up impressions of an American visitor strolling through the streets of Paris in the 1920s, taking in the sights and sounds to create an imaginative musical mix of Parisian energy and American jazz. Adding authenticity, Gershwin incorporated taxi horns into the score, so who knows what the will get up to in their performance of this work.

With a musical selection from members of the Strauss family, Lehar and Carl Zieher, including a march, polka, polonaise and waltz, the concert is an evening of romantic musical indulgence and a fitting finale to another successful Westmorland Orchestra season.

Tickets are available from the Brewery Arts Centre box office on 01539-725133 or at the door.