WHEN one attends a concert for strings alone, as opposed to one for full orchestra, it seems quite normal and logical. But when the same criteria is applies to wind , this sense of logic does not seem necessarily to apply.

So it is to the credit of the City of London Sinfonia. and their Spanish conductor, Pablo Gonzalez, that they presented a splendid concert for wind (woodwind and French horns) plus sometimes just one cello and one double bass. Their "rewards" included a somewhat smaller audience than usual (about 70 per cent at a guess) but a reception at the end that was prolonged and patently both sincere and appreciative.

From the expressions on their faces, the orchestra plainly recognised this and seemed as pleased as punch. Additionally the audience had the opportunity to meet "up close and personal"with wind instruments rarely heard individually, such as the bass clarinet, contra bassoon and basset horn.

The concert began with a Mozart masterpiece, his Serenade in B flat major. It is not easy Mozart, despite his brilliance in switching moods, tempi and emphasis between the instruments. A bright and jolly Partita in E flat major by little heard Franz Krommer made one quickly appreciate that "unknowns" can be highly entertaining; while it ended with Dvorak's popular Serenade in D minor - a masterly piece emphasising both Czech folk traditions and the distinct characteristics of the instruments. Yet this was the week when the Arts Council cut the Sinfonia's grant. Ye Gods!

Stan Meares