ALISON CROOSE King's Lynn Festival: King's Lynn Town Hall

ALISON CROOSE

Amid the musical delights of works by Elgar, Mozart and Bach proffered by the festival programme, concert-goers are urged to open their ears and minds to music being composed today.

The Contemporary Consort returned for a third year to perform to a growing audience interested in hearing not only “modern” music but also the ideas of two featured composers.

The occasion also provided the oppportunity for the audience to meet the composers and musicians. The festival's artistic director, Ambrose Miller, opened the evening by interviewing Timothy Salter and Nicholas Sackman about their music. Listening to their thoughts undoubtedly adds interest to music which otherwise may be somewhat inaccessible.

But hearing Mr Salter discuss Three Night Pieces for flute and cello and Mr Sackman talking about Fling – written for the unusual trio of flute, cello and piano – facilitated the listening experience.

Huw Watkins (piano), Carla Rees (flute), Alexandra Wood (violin) and Naomi Williams (cello) demonstrated their musicianship in music composed largely during the last 10 years but also including works by Benjamin Britten – his Sonata for cello and piano and Night Piece for solo piano – composed during the 1960s.

The applause was not just polite – it was very real.