Last Sunday's recital in the glorious setting of St Nicolas' Church, Abingdon, was the first in the 2008 Abbey Chamber Recitals series, which runs throughout the year and includes a wide variety of music performed by local professional and amateur musicians. This opening concert was also part of the Abingdon Arts Festival, which opened on March 2 and finishes this weekend.

If An English Serenade was a taste of things to come, then the remainder of the recital series promises to be a veritable feast. Flautist Christopher Britton, oboist Carolyn King and pianist/composer Malcolm Pearce took the audience on a fascinating musical voyage, presenting an extraordinary variety of English music from the baroque era to the present.

The highlight, perhaps, was the world premiere of Malcolm Pearce's Suite for flute, oboe and piano, which he wrote specially for this ensemble. In a witty introductory speech, Pearce said that the four movements were "characterful" - and how right he was. Each was positively bursting with rhythmic and melodic interest to create some vivid musical images and wonderfully contrasting moods. The players seized hold of the piece with relish, delivering an energetic, passionate and fully committed performance.

Elsewhere, there were familiar composers such as Vaughan Williams, Sullivan, Elgar and Delius, interspersed by some less well-known names. A few eyebrows might have been raised at the inclusion of German composer Johann Christoph Pepusch, until Christopher Britton explained that he had spent most of his working life in England, during which he founded the Academy of Ancient Music.

This recital was a box of delights, presented eloquently and with technical assurance by three musicians who have clearly established a strong rapport.

f=Zapf Dingbats noThe Abbey Chamber recital series continues on April 6 with Appassionata, music by Frank Bridge and Beethoven, played by pianist Mark Hooper. For information, email David Pedder on DJPedderDPA@aol.com. For details of the Abingdon Arts Festival, visit www.abingdonartsfestival.org.uk.