THERE can hardly be a better place to enjoy this tender and haunting sacred work than the lofty setting of Milton Abbey, while the choir of the Milton Abbey Music Festival gave the piece all the beauty that it deserved.

With organ accompaniment throughout, the choir, under the baton of Christopher Gray, gave a professional performance that was always disciplined and the unpretentious simplicity of the work brought their efforts to new heights of achievement.

As part of the week-long and varied festival programme, the concert was undoubtedly a highlight of the event and the acoustics of the building played no small part in the enjoyment of the music.

Always modest in its aims, the requiem has nevertheless become a firm favourite with music lovers and the crowning moment, In Paradisum, was worth waiting for as the extensive choir blended beautifully to bring a gorgeous treat to the appreciative audience.

The music festival will take on a new image next year when the current director, David McKee, steps down after only two years in the role. One can only suppose that the high standard of musical prowess of the Milton Abbey choral singers over the past years will continue in the hands of the new director.