Classical Notes: with Anna Brosnan

And Holst is just one name to stand out in an extraordinarily impressive line-up of musicians that Britain has produced throughout the main periods of musical history.

In my view there can’t be enough concerts organised to celebrate the best of this country’s composers, and on Saturday, March 2, the Northampton Concert Band will be performing an evening of music including some of their selection of the ‘Best of British.’

In their first concert of this year, the 40-strong band of woodwind and brass will perform a programme of everything from Elgar and Holst to Elton John and John Lennon. Also on the menu will be English Dances (Set 1) by Northampton-born composer, Sir Malcolm Arnold.

The concert, led by musical director, Stephen Bell, will take place at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Sheep Street, Northampton, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10 and are available from www.northamptonconcertband.org.uk or call 01604 459790.

Another opportunity to hear some Holst will be this Saturday, when choral group, Belcanto in Kettering, perform a varied programme at London Road Congregational Church in Kettering at 7.30pm, in aid of Kettering Lions Club. Tickets cost £6, available by calling 01536 481539.

Also on Saturday, Duo Piccolo e Grande – made up of Enzo Puzzovio and Stewart McCoy – will give free concerts at All Saints’ Church in Northampton (1.10pm) and St Mary the Virgin in Burton Latimer (7.30pm).