Romantic music from the past and present provides the theme for a special concert to be presented this Saturday by the Bermuda Conservatory of Music.

"This is an exciting programme because it spans two centuries of romanticism, from Schumann to Samuel Barber and Ned Rorem,'' says Karol Sue Reddington. As pianist, she joins Diane Hamilton and Jennifer Sheridan on violin, Kate Ross (viola) and Jennifer Green on cello in the composer's Piano Quintet in E flat major, a piece that Dr. Reddington describes as "probably one of the finest in all of music's chamber literature.'' She will also accompany soprano Julianne Cross in her performance of the `Hermit Songs' of American composer Samuel Barber who died in 1981. "This is a cycle of ten songs set to informal poems by monks and hermits. They cover a range of moods and although Barber's music is cryptic and terse, it is also full of the melodic sweeps that we associate with the romantic era,'' explains Dr. Reddington.

The programme closes with contemporary composer Ned Rorem's `Spring Music', a trio for violin, cello and piano. "It is a very challenging piece for the instrumentalists,'' says Dr. Reddington who takes on the piano section, "but it is very accessible to the listener. I would say that the fourth part is almost Ravel-like in character and I think people will enjoy it.'' Guest artist Jennifer Green will perform on a rare cello, made by Alessandro Gagliano in 1724. As a winner of the Artists International Competition, she made her New York debut last year at the Carnegie Hall's Well Recital Hall.

Also from the US is violinist Rebecca Harris Lee, who played principal second violin in the Ohio Chamber Orchestra before moving to New York and positions with the New Haven Symphony and the Long Island Philharmonic.

`Some Enchanted Evening', sponsored by Partner Reinsurance Company Limited, takes place this Saturday, April 25 at John's Parish Church, Pembroke, at 7.30 p.m. Tickets ($30 for patrons, $20 adults and $10 for seniors/students) are available from the Bermuda Conservatory (Old Colony Club building), Meyer Agencies, Opus, Encose, and Pianos Plus.

The Conservatory is also presenting a lunchtime concert tomorrow, April 23, at the Bermuda National Gallery. Composer Allen D. Sapp, an expert in 20th century music, and specifically visiting Bermuda for this Saturday's concert, will discuss the music to be featured, with special emphasis on the works of Samuel Barber and Ned Rorem. The lecture takes place at 12.15, admission $5 (free for gallery members).