SOMETHING which may have passed unnoticed in a recent concert at Wiltshire Music Centre (May 17) is the performance, for the first time in the west of England, of Wiltshire composer James Patten's Stabat Mater.

The piece received a most sympathetic performance under Rupert Bevan's baton the striking pizzicato and voice entry being the first of many memorable parts of this most accessible of pieces. "Thank goodness for a piece of modern music we can understand" was a typical remark overheard from the audience.

The CDs of Patten's Stabat Mater sold out like wildfire on the night and my guess is that the £5 which purchasers paid will prove a good investment for the future.

Why has he not been heard more before? This is music that comes from the heart, crafted by a composer of distinction who has spent many years of his life in Wiltshire.

It is thanks to Bradford Choral's conductor Rupert Bevan and Bradford Choral Society and orchestra that it was chosen to take its place, quite rightly, between two of the greats Bach and Mozart.

It is concert planning of this order which makes Bradford stand out as the premier concert venue in the west.

Wiltshire Music Centre could have opted for a programme entirely of "tried and tested" Bach, Beethoven and Brahms or devoted the evening entirely to pieces of contemporary music (as a result of which fear of the unknown may have produced only a minimum audience).

Wiltshire Music Centre seem to think things through very carefully and go for mixed planting in their musical vegetable garden.

To present a proper balance between the two extremes is typical of the adventurous planning of the programme secretary.

Well done Wiltshire Music Centre, you've given a living composer from Wiltshire a first performance in the west!

B COOPER,

Stradbrook,

Bratton.