The standard of performance currently being presented by our progressive music societies is little short of astounding.

In the absence of public subvention, 'progressive' means relying on financial support from elsewhere. It also indicates a body of individuals who know how to match celebrated musicians with an interesting programme.

The Music in June series organised by the St Briavels Music Society is typical of all this, its final concert being given by violinist Katharine Gowers and pianist Simon Crawford- Phillips.

Mr Crawford-Phillips is a soloist in his own right as well as being - among other things - joint director of the annual Wye Valley Chamber Music Festival, and it was fitting that he should inhabit the eye of a storm at this recital with seven miniatures from the first book of Janacek's On An Overgrown Path, an album of ‘snapshot’ recollections.

They were exquisitely played, their tone and temper a far cry from what the pianist contributed to the Brahms Third Violin Sonata, that composer’s C Minor Sonatensatz and Enescu's Third Violin Sonata in A minor.

In all these the fibrous yet singing nature of Ms Gowers’ line was impressive, the Roma gipsy effects in the Enescu being reproduced with verve to create with the equally idiosyncratic keyboard effects an essential quality of improvisation.

Late-ish Brahms, as in the third sonata, can be undiminished in energy and lyricism as well as autumnal. The balance of voices, not easy to achieve, was thrillingly poised and the early sonata fragment’s headlong motion proved irresistible. Quality playing from start to finish.