IT is never a good idea to take over a job when the previous incumbent has been highly successful, but there is always an exception to every rule and Amelia Freedman well and truly proved that when, just over 30 years ago, she took over the role of artistic director of the Bath Mozart fest from Yehudi Menuhin. Building on that sure foundation, Amelia has over those years established the Fest as one of the most respected in the music calendar, and it was therefore a very poignant moment when, before The Nash Ensemble concert in St Mary’s, Bathwick, cellist Adrien Brendel paid tribute to Amelia, who died earlier this year leaving the 20025 programme as her legacy.

Founded 60 years ago by Amelia, The Nash had a personal bond with her that shone through every note they played. There was a feeling of the pure joy of playing in Mozart’s Piano Trio in G major, and String Quintet No.3, genuine sadness in Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending, and a wonderful mixture of fun and excitement when they closed their programme with one of Amelia’s favourites, Mendelssohn’s String Octet No 3.

St Mary’s had already hosted three concerts before the Nash arrived, The Schumann and Consone Quartets, both featuring works by Mozart and Haydn, and on Friday a dazzling presentation of Schubert’s Winterreise Op 89 by baritone Konstantine Krimmel and pianist Simon Crawford-Phillips.

Just as The Nash wanted to play for Amelia Freedman, so did the Halle Orchestra exude the same feeling when they greeted the return of their conductor emeritus Sir Mark Elder. Equally at ease with Sibelius Historiques Suite as they were accompanying Dame Imogen Cooper’s effortless looking, technically commanding playing of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No 27, they fairly lifted the Forum’s roof as they brought all the excitement and lilting melodies of Dvorak’s Symphony No 5 vibrantly alive.

Three more concerts still to come At St Mary’s – Nigel Short conducting Tenebrae on Wednesday 12th November, the Castalian String Quartet on Thursday 13th and on Friday a fascinating combination of Henning Kraggerud, violin, Adrian Brendel. cello and Imogen Cooper, piano, playing Schubert’s Piano trio’s No 1 and 2.

The Leonore Piano Trio with a programme of Joseph Haydn and Dvorak opened the daytime Guildhall concerts, followed by Haydn and Schubert String Quartets delightfully played by the Carducci String Quartet. Still to come at the Guildhall are Jennifer and Jeremy Pike, violin and piano (Wednesday 12th November), pianists Phillip Moore and Simon Crawford-Phillips (Thursday 13th November) and the Kleio Quartet on Saturday 15th November, before this years’ fest draws to an end on the same evening in Bath Abbey with La Nuova Musica.

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