Huw Wiggin (saxophone) & James Sherlock (piano)

Sometimes a concert can be so original, daring & musically dazzling that it takes one’s breath away and reminds us of the potential of live music. Huw Wiggin’s virtuoso saxophone playing was one such occasion. The programme was fascinating, including two stunning pieces from Graham Fitkin: ‘Glass’ was a melancholy number that was beautifully simple, still and moving (featuring subtle piano backing from James Sherlock) whereas ‘Gate’ was a more technically challenging piece that was a rewarding showstopper. Stockhausen’s ‘In Freundschaft’ was a modern marvel, with the carefully orchestrated movements creating a lovely room-filling tone and building up towards a superb busy finale. Most memorable however was Andy Scott’s tribute to Esborn Svensson: ‘Three Letter Word’. Written with Wiggin in mind, it was melodic, poppy and jazzy; a new but somehow instantly familiar piece with a strut and confidence about it that was invigorating. A magnificent afternoon from a talented, hugely promising musician.

Studio Theatre, Brighton Dome, 7 May 2015
Rating:
Joe Fuller