Orlando Jopling’s performance at Offton Church on 29^th November can best be described simply using the name of the organisers – Magical Musical Moments. Magical and musical it most certainly was. Orlando’s skill on his cello was bemusing and entrancing. As he worked his way through three of Bach’s unaccompanied cello suites, he kept us spellbound, listening with all our attention as if to the most riveting of stories. For this, Bach primarily must of course take the credit – but it was Orlando who brought the music so vibrantly to life.

Added to this, it was the first time I had experienced Offton Church in secular mode, and what a party we had during the interval! The refreshments and the company were more than excellent.

Altogether, it was a most entertaining and instructive evening. In an undidactic way, Orlando explained the inner working of the music, so that as we listened we had some understanding of what Bach was striving for as he composed it, and this made a huge difference. It was also interesting to hear about Orlando’s English cello, an instrument of the late 18^th century, made by Benjamin Banks (I hope I’ve got that right!) So, by his skill, his sheer musicality and his unassuming charm, Orlando won over even the least musical amongst us; and the icing on the cake was his enchanting pizzicato encore. I hope very much to hear him again.

Review by Margaret Wainwright

To find out about the next concert visit the Magical Musical Moments website