This concert falls under the general heading of "third stream" - an attempt to merge European classical music and jazz. Such marriages can often be uncomfortable, but not on this occasion. Soprano saxophonist Dave Liebman appeared entirely at ease with the string ensemble of Michael d'Arcy (violin), Brona Cahill (violin), Joachim Roewer (viola) and William Butt (cello).
The concert opened with two Liebman compositions. Atonement was a lyrical piece with Jewish folk inflections. The saxophone led for the most part, but there was also room for subtle interplay with the strings.
A Ronan Guilfoyle premiere formed the centrepiece of the programme and the highlight of the concert. His Music for Soprano Saxophone and String Quartet is a powerful and varied three-movement work. The first movement seamlessly blended jazz and classical elements, from the complex opening theme to the swinging, jazzy second idea. The slow movement was built around a chromatic theme which gave great improvisational scope and also featured highly-imaginative scoring. The concluding movement was technically demanding, but the players carried it off brilliantly.
The final piece was curious - the quartet played Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings straight, but Liebman came and went as he pleased with free improvisations over the strings. He did this with exquisite sensitivity, adding a new dimension to a familiar piece.