Concert review from local paper:
 

Thursday, April 1, 1999 The Observer   37 A glowing tribute to Sir Yehudi ON March 11, this year, Yehudi Menuhin, one of the greatest and most well beloved of all violinists, died just prior to a concert in Berlin. It was a very sad day indeed for the huge number of music lovers, of which I am one, who have had the privilege to be present at one of his performances and have been overwhelmed by his wonderful musicianship. His passing made the concert given in the School Hall of Eton College by the Windsor and Maidenhead Symphony Orchestra, even more poignant with their highly celebrated soloist, Rebecca Hirsch, announcing that she was dedicating her performance of Britten's Violin Concerto to his memory. Prior to this concert I had been pondering for some time on their decision to perform this phenomenally difficult 20th century masterpiece - was it possible for this local orchestra to do it justice? Satisfied Well, they can certainly be more than satisfied.  At its close their soloist expressed the highest praise for their performance of this complex score. Rebecca Hirsch has recently recorded this concerto with the BBC Scottish Orchestra which I am sure is the best of news for her admirers because her insight and performance of it at this concert was truly magnificent - certainly an occasion to be remembered for some time. Apart from the opening piece, Walton's Spitfire Prelude and Fugue, memories will also abound over the inclusion of Vaughan-William's equally phenomenally difficult Symphony No 6 in E Minor in the programme, especially as it can so easily provoke a mixed reception. Like the Britten concerto it demands the highest level of virtuosity from its players and in no way was this orchestra found to be wanting throughout this extraordinarily powerful work. Its bewildering Scherzo and 12-minute pianissimo finale may have showed just a touch of weariness but after climbing the Matterhorn twice in one day, could we have asked for more from this fine orchestra and their adventurous conductor, Robert Roscoe. Roy McKay