WINDSOR FESTIVAL: Tasmin at Windsor Parish Church - review

Before there was sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll there was Bach. His breath-taking Partita No.3 in E Minor for solo violin written in 1720 to show off the qualities of both instrument and performer, mind and body opened a concert by international star Tasmin Little at Windsor Parish Church as part of the Windsor Festival, writes Bryce Martin.

The exuberance, passion and commitment of the 33-year-old in live performance made an old favourite sound as though it was being heard for the first time.

From the back of the space, even the lightest touches were distinct and pure thanks to the wonderful acoustics provided by the high-vaulted nave.

Fast forward 200 years, and Tasmin was joined by pianist Martin Roscoe and cellist Thomas Carroll to play Ravel's Trio in A Minor, written on the eve of the First World War and culminating in a triumphant expression of the human spirit overcoming its darkest moments.

A ravishing, rhythmic work, the three played as one to produce a soaring sound which rose above the best efforts of Heathrow-bound jets to grab the attention.

After the interval the always beaming Tasmin added two more friends, double bassist Dominic Seldis and viola player Philip Dukes and went back a century to play Schubert's Trout Quintet.

While I confess that chamber music is not my number one favourite, the quintet compelled attention, both of ear and eye, as they intertwined playfully before their absorbed audience.

One has to be open to such experiences and it was a shame that the evening was attended by relatively few young people.

Tasmin herself in a great believer that her music is for everyone and while the festival committee is right to pursue quality, it perhaps needs to target a wider cross-section of the public if it is not to be self-serving.