That Oswestry has a firm and well-merited place in the Shropshire musical scene was underlined on the evening of 6th July at a concert given in Holy Trinity Church by world-renowned orchestra, the European Union Chamber Orchestra. These musicians of high quality, with a record of tours throughout Europe, the Americas, North Africa, Australia and Asia, including India and Japan, are enticed here due to the long-standing good reputation of the Oswestry School Recital Series and of the organiser of the series, Chris Symons. In practical terms, what especially counts is the warm yet clear acoustic of the church and the welcoming and respectful audience that is always there at Oswestry.
The playing throughout was colourful, crisp and clean and, above all, sensitive. The audience was treated first to a light-hearted symphony with the sub-title “The Peasant’s Wedding” by Leopold Mozart, father of the great Wolfgang. It paved the way delightfully to the most substantial work of the evening, one of the great man’s piano concertos, numbered K415, in which the solo role was taken by the concert organiser himself and which brought finely-judged interplay between soloist and orchestra. The concerto is not a big, dramatic work; its qualities are subtle and the listener was led by many different ways to a satisfying whole. Much dexterity of finger-work is needed by the soloist and all was well under control and poetically 
finished. It was an admirable choice for a hall of moderate size.
After the interval there was a change of style that emphasised how varied is the world of music. Following the concerto’s atmosphere of moderation, Elgar’s Serenade explored the very personal world of one of England’s greatest composers, all sections of the orchestra playing a vital part in giving this delicate work a very sensitive performance.
Everyone left in very happy mood after the final work of the evening, a symphony by Haydn, giving generous touches of his usual wit and with yet more virtuoso playing spurred on by the musicality – and athleticism – of the leader, Hans-Peter Hofmann.
Tributes were paid to numerous other people who have been to the fore in helping the Recital Series, not least the piano-tuner Edward Wilkins. Following the retirement of Chris Symons, it will be in different hands: long may it continue !