Durrant brings his love of the Rodrigo Concerto

The arrival of Richard Durrant to the Worthing Symphony Orchestra stage has the potential to create the stand-out concert of the new season this side of Christmas.

It will be the hugely versatile, barrier-traversing guitartist's debut with the orchestra and no soloist of his like has taken the platform, and certainly not this one, before. Nor a guitar, of which more later. He is to play what in the last few decades has become one of the great romantic passion and emotion stirrers. The blind Spaniard, Rodrigo's Concerto Di Aranjuez.

Durrant, who has played his instrument with native guitarists in the town of Granada, the mecca of Spanish guitar makers, said: "Everyone loves the work, and it's becoming as cherished as the most popular concertos on any other instrument, like the Greig Piano Concerto or the Tchaikowsky fiddle. But I never tire of playing or listening to this piece. It always sounds even more beautiful than when you heard it the last time".

Durrant has been playing the work since first in Portugal 28 years ago, and has given it with the BBC Concert Orchestra, the period instrument Hanover Band, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, with whom he will be appearing in May at the Royal Albert Hall.

He mused: "You know how like a labyrinth my musical activities can be, and I like playing around with my electronic samplers (He means here his multi-effects repertoire in his solo act, The Guitar Whisperer, of which he will give 50 performances this year]. But playing concerti with a decent orchestra is probably the most enjoyable thing in my musical life. I get such a thrill out of doing it."

Durrant in action, and his stage presence, singles himself out from among concert guitarists. See him give a chamber concert with a string quartet, as he did at The Ritz next door to the Connaught Theatre, in Worthing 10 years ago, his outgoing and unpretentious personality makes the listener feel he is receiving a private performance. On the concert platform, his physical stature and big smile take him closer than most others to doing the same.

And conductor John Gibbons' WSO format of introducing some pieces personally to the audience creates an arena in which Durrant will no doubt have a word of introduction himself, and the WSO fans will enjoy a special experience and insight.

Durrant has a unique following of fans with broad tastes and adaptability, including a proportion of guitar afficionados - an Iberian-looking word of timely appropriateness. His concerts also have a feminine appeal and the atmosphere is bound to be unusual and rather special.

But don't be deceived. Durrant, who can also play the cello, will be concentrating hard. He explained: "The Rodrigo is a bit of a roast-up for the soloist. It's difficulties are not to be underestimated."

Could this prove the first of a run of Durrant appearances with the WSO? There would be more to come.

He elaborates on the repertoire available: "There are other concertos and concert pieces, the qualities of which I expect some concert goers are still unaware. The Villa Lobos concerto is wonderful. Vivaldi's in D, I play on the mandolin - it was written originally for the soprano lute. There is the lovely Castel Nuovo-Tedesco, the Malcolm Arnold concerto, and if it's Guiliani, the A major is the one to play. I do that one on a special 19th century replica bult for me by the great Shoreham-based luthier David Whiteman."

Welcome to the world of the plucked concert stringed instrument. Durrant is about to take that a stage further. He will be playing a special new guitar, which is included in a designer's exhibition of instruments in the foyer of the Assembly Hall at the concert.

The guitar has been researched, designed and made by Gary Hearn and, because it is different, and a highly attractive object, too, the visual element of this performance of the Rodrigo Concerto will have an extra dimension.

And the noted acoustics of the Assembly Hall should create an ideal environment in which to experience the new instrument.

The guitar has a special name: The Richard Durrant Concert Model. Now you know how uniquely this musician is regarded.

See www.worthing herald.co.uk/classicalmusic for a special piece on this instrument.

Also on the programme, entitled Golden Inspirations, and promoted by the Worthing Symphony Society, are Gluck's Dance of the Blessed Spirits, Holst's St Paul's Suite and Beethoven's Eighth Symphony and Coriolan Overture.

It starts at 2.45pm. Box Office: 01903 206206.

Richard Durrant will appear after the concert at his CD stand and the exhibition, to answer questions and sign autographs.