Haslemere Musical Society, founded by Annie Bristow, marked its centenary at Haslemere Hall on December 2.

The evening started, as in 1923, with a full-blooded playing of Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony. The orchestra was alive to how it is driven to its destiny with logical inevitability, right through to the frenetic climax.

The choir and orchestra gave an affectionate account of Mozart’s Coronation Mass, before a new work by Haslemere composer Clive Osgood, Sinfonia Cantiones, which was easy on the ear.

In his elegant speech, society music director James Ross said: “Haslemere can be proud of its achievements in classical music.”

Tony Goldman