grayshott.com - news 11th november 2007 - BBC Young Musician strikes a moving chord in Grayshott

When BBC Young Musician of the Year, 'Cellist Guy Johnston, came to perform in Grayshott, so many people wanted tickets that a waiting list of almost 40 built up weeks in advance.

The occasion was Grayshott Concerts staging of Karl Jenkins' "The Armed Man - A Mass for Peace" written in 2000 and dedicated to victims of the Kosovo conflict. The concert featured the young 'cellist performing the eloquent and dramatic introduction to the 'Benedictus', which he recorded on the original CD produced by the composer in 2001. The work has since become one of the most requested pieces ever played on ClassicFM. Karl Jenkins himself, was unable to attend the performance but sent his personal best wishes for the success of the event.

Will Benson, Managing Director of Applegarth Farm, who sponsored the event said: "It's an enormous pleasure helping to bring such prodigious talent into the heart of the village. Guy is an inspirational performer and tonight he was absolutely superb. Grayshott Concerts at St Luke's are a great combination. I can't think of a better way of supporting local classical music for a more appreciative audience."

Organiser and Artistic Director Vivien Harrison agreed: "We started taking bookings immediately after our Summer Opera and it was soon obvious we would need to add more seats. The support from local people has been phenomenal. We were receiving ticket requests through our new website right up to the start of the concert and did our very best to accommodate as many as we could."

The concert, which opened with Parry's famous Coronation anthem 'I was glad', also saw the 'world premiere' of a new work 'Song of Wisdom' composed and conducted by local composer Nicholas O'Neill and commissioned by Grayshott Concerts with funding from Hampshire County Council Arts Service.