RYEDALE Festival danced into life last Friday with several of the OAE’s finest soloists starring in four of Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos, alongside a first appearance by this year’s composer in residence, Sally Beamish.

Though born in London, Beamish moved to Scotland 20 years ago and is now very much part of the musical landscape there. She lives in the same Stirlingshire village as Melanie Reid, who broke her back in a riding accident in 2010. Her piece Spinal Chords (2012) is inspired by Reid’s gallant struggle to regain movement after paralysis, a story that continues in her Spinal Column in The Times.

The work is melodrama in the strict sense, spoken words – Reid’s own, declaimed here by Beamish – over 13 strings. It moves from twelve slow, non-vibrato chords into gradual life, with a series of fizzing impulses, some low tremolos and, later, pizzicato leading to some rushing figures. It poignantly reflects Reid’s insistence that “inside, I feel fiercely alive”.

Such vivacity was also the key to sizzling Brandenburgs, suavely led from the violin by Matthew Truscott. Thrilling trumpet and nimble recorders distinguished Nos 2 & 4 in turn.

The finale of No 3 was given at a pace right on the limits of human capability, but the three trios of strings were unfazed. Laurence Cummings delivered a dashing harpsichord cadenza in No 5, fluently partnered elsewhere by Lisa Beznosiuk’s Baroque flute. Exhilarating stuff.

The festival continues until July 30. www.ryedalefestival.com