This concert featured two large-scale choral works which are not often heard these days, one by Britten and one by Handel. Both presented the choir with interesting challenges, which they met with enthusiasm. At times, the vast space of the abbey made it impossible to deliver the words as clearly as they would have liked, but the performances were remarkably successful, a tribute to the excellent conducting of Leo Hussain.

Britten's Cantata Misericordium (Cantata of the Merciful) was written after the War Requiem, which it recalls in places. It tells the story of the Good Samaritan, with the tenor soloist (John McMahon) taking the part of the Samaritan and the bass-baritone (Daniel Jordan) as the suffering traveller. The parable itself is framed between two discussions of who thy neighbour is.

Britten's music is lovely to perform and was clearly enjoyed by soloists, choir and orchestra alike. This is brilliant scoring with endlessly inventive accompaniment and was an excellent performance.

Handel's Dixit Dominus (The Lord Said) is a setting of Psalm 110 and was written when Handel was in his early 20s and had not long arrived in Rome. This is a powerful full-blooded choral work with four soloists, the soprano Elizabeth Weisberg and mezzo-soprano Ruth Massey joining the soloists from the first half. It comes in eight movements, mainly in minor keys, with the usual mixture of choruses and solos. The conductor got the very best from his choir , with confident entries and enthusiastic singing throughout. Special mention must be made of the sublime mezzo-soprano aria with cello and harpsichord accompaniment.

The London Concertante opened the concert with Elgar's Serenade for Strings in E Minor, one of his most enduring and popular pieces - small wonder when it is played as beautifully as this. It's hard for us to believe these days that it took seven years for Elgar to find a publisher. It was a delightful way to start what was a truly memorable evening.