THE new season started last week with a presentation by Michael Salmon, who asked: 'Is this another renaissance in British music?' British music seems to have gone through several waves, he said, with composers like Purcell and Arne in the 17th century followed by something of a lull until the first half of the last century when composers such as Elgar, Walton, Delius and Vaughan Williams began to make waves.

Today there is a strong field of composers and Michael played examples by Michael Nyman, John Foulds, Patrick Hawes and Paul Carr.

The evening started with a brief extract of one of Erik Satie’s Gymnopedie — no, Satie was not an Englishman, but the piece illustrates the minimalist and impressionistic style adopted by some British- born composers today.

If there is a British style, then based on the pieces we heard, it is characterised by a frequent evocation of the countryside and powerful harmonic development. It is also accessible.

It is probably too soon to say if the music we heard represents a ‘new wave’ but the breadth and depth of talent was impressive. For a list of pieces played go to salisburyrms.org. For further details contact the joint chairman Ed Tinline 328901.