FRANCES HART Skalia Kanga, the harpist heard by millions in the music for the BBC TV series The Victorian Kitchen Garden, had compiled a programme for the unusual ensemble of flute, viola and harp.

FRANCES HART

Skalia Kanga, the harpist heard by millions in the music for the BBC TV series The Victorian Kitchen Garden, had compiled a programme for the unusual ensemble of flute, viola and harp. She was joined by Michael Cox, flute, and Steve Tees, viola.

The programme featured duets for flute/harp and viola/harp, the latter including Paul Reade's charming suite from the Victorian Kitchen Garden. We also heard from the solo flute in Debussy's plaintiff lament Syrinx, which gave Michael Cox the chance to display an outstanding variety of quiet tones.

Also by Debussy is the most famous work for this ensemble – his Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp, with its rapid changes of mood and tempo. Several pieces featured the harpist's arranging talent, not least Mozart's Andante in C major.

Ravel contributed a Spanish dance for flute and harp, and I was most impressed by the Elegiac Trio of Sir Arnold Bax with its alternately rippling, serene and passionate themes.