Last Tango in Jewsons

Two concerts last night. Trio Mediaeval in the cathedral followed by the Tango Quintet in the tent.

CB is a big early music fan and we are both Norway fans, so when we heard TM on Radio 3 we got hold of a couple of their CD's: Stella Maris and Folk Songs: and they've been playing around the house, car and office ever since, so we were delighted to hear that they were coming to the Festival.

The cathedral concert featured their early music repertoire. Gorgeous transcendant tunes that soared in the vaults and, when they split up and moved around the building, seemed to vibrate and come at you from all directions at once. A surprise addition was their version of the medieval Hymn to St Magnus. I have heard it performed many ways and have even played Andy Cant's version for the Cathhedral Bells!) but I'm pretty sure that Magnus hasn't been better serenaded since he moved 'intae the toon fae Birsay'. We were given a taster in their encore of their folk repertoire with percussionist, Terje Isungset, on Jew's harp (is it still PC to call it that?). That's Tuesday's concert in Birsay.

From medieval Worcester to 20th century Buenos Aires for the music of Astor Piazzolla performed by James Crabb on accordian and members of Psappha in the Spiegeltent. It was hot, it was sultry, it was dangerous: it was like nothing I ever thought I'd be listening to in Jewson's Yard. A great contrast, which is what is wonderful about the Festival.