Oxfordshire musical prodigy delivers ‘virtuoso’ performance

The Wantage Orchestra Spring Concert at the Old Mill Hall in Grove was celebrated as “an inspired afternoon” with the highlight being a recital by 17-year-old Katherine Payne.

The young violinist has been described as a “virtuosic performer” and is in her final year at the Yehudi School of Music.

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She will go on to study violin further once she turns 18 and is the recipient of many prizes including the Celia Walker overall prize.

Ms Payne was the leader of the Thames Valley Youth Orchestra and was playing on a Castagneri violin and a Morizot bow, sponsored by the Cherubim Trust.

Typically these violins sell at auction for between £5,000 and £15,000.

Katherine Payne performing with The Wantage Orchestra (Image: Polly Biswas Gladwin)

At the performance on Saturday, March 21 there was standing room only with Beethoven’s Symphony no.7 and Rossini’s The Thieving Magpie being played.

Conductor Christopher Fletcher Campbell called it “an inspired afternoon”, with home made cakes made available at the interval

One audience member said: “We enjoyed the Wantage Orchestra concert yesterday.

“Lovely programme, and Katherine was very accomplished. Good to see it so well supported.”

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Another added: “What a wonderful afternoon performance, beautiful sunshine outside and amazing performance inside.

“The choice of pieces brought out the best from everyone and they bought enjoyment to us all.  Thank you I look forward to future concerts.”

The group’s next concert will be on Sunday, July 5 at 7pm at The Wantage Parish Church, with more information available on its website.