THE 300th anniversary of the birth of J.S. Bach, G.F. Handel and Domenico Scarlatti was handsomely commemorated in Coll Parish church on July 25, when members of the Tunnell and Checker families gave a concert to a large and appreciative audience.

The full ensemble, consisting of John Tunnell (leader Scottish Chamber Orchestra), violin; Maurice Checker (SCO) oboe; Susan Checker, harpsichord; Lucy Checker, bassoon; Matthew Checker, trumpet; Jonathan Tunnell, cello; played a spirited overture taken from Handel's Water Music.

This was followed by Phillipa Tunnell and Lucy Checker playing two of the 48 Preludes and Fugues by Bach on a beautiful harpsichord, brought for the occasion from Edinburgh via British Rail and Caledonian MacBrayne by Maurice Checker, the lovely tone furtunately surviving the journey intact.

Jonathan Tunnell then played part of a Bach suite for solo cello with great skill and expression, despite the difficulty of the piece for a young cellist. The third tercentenarian was honoured by a spirited performance by Susan Checker of a lively harpsichord piece by Scarlatti.

The climax of the evening was an unusual orchestration of the suite from Handel's Water Music, familiar music in an unfamiliar style which was greatly appreciated by the capacity audience. Mrs Barr, Hyne, thanked the players for having given up a large part of their annual holiday on Coll in order to provide the rare treat of live music of a high professional standard to islanders and visitors alike. A collection was taken which was divided between the two Coll churches and the village hall fund.