RECENTLY my wife and I attended a concert at the Barbican Centre, given by the Guildhall Orchestra with guest soloist Julian Lloyd Webber and the Leeds Festival Choir.

I would like to record our deep-felt thanks for a memorable evening - superb music, played magnificently.

At the end the applause was tumultuous, sustained and deserved. Julian Lloyd Webber's performance was intensely moving, the choir excellent, but my reason for writing is to praise the orchestra.

Over 31 years we have attended many fine musical performances in the city, but had not attended a Guildhall Orchestra concert until about four years ago. Since that occasion we have not missed a single one, and each one has brought greater pleasure.

There is no doubt that this period has seen a steady improvement in the orchestra, coupled with an increasingly ambitious repertoire, all under their able conductor Simon Wright.

John Coombes,

Church Road, Stamford Bridge.

Updated: 12:02 Tuesday, October 21, 2003