Piece No I - Nancarrow

Who's afraid of Red, Yellow and Blue, Ian Wilson Symphony in C - Stravinsky

From the White Edge of Phrygia - Stephen Montague

Neglected for decades, the late Conlon Nancarrow achieved fame in his last years for his dense, poly-rhythmic player-piano pieces. His 1943 Piece is not without its intricacies, but this jazz-influenced music is nevertheless very approachable, and it deserves wider circulation.

Ian Wilson's saxophone concerto, Who's afraid of Red, Yellow and Blue, was inspired by the painting of Barnett Newman, written for Gerard McChrystal, and commissioned by the BBC for the Sonorities Festival of Contemporary Music at Queen's University, Belfast. Friday's concert saw its first performance. This was intense music, brilliantly written for the orchestra, and it was the orchestral writing which claimed prominence as for some reason the soloist was placed behind the orchestra, challenging even McChrystal's powerful tone.

Some critics, the present one included, have in the past been sniffy about the Montague piece. It may be slight, but it is lively, rhythmical, and tuneful - three qualities not always associated with modern music, and it is imaginatively written for the orchestra. It was also played with great drive and enthusiasm. I still think it's twice the length it should be.

As one would expect, Lubbock obtained assured performances, but a little lightness and grace would have made all the difference to an efficient but one-dimensional performance of the Stravinsky.