Mixing the near modern with the very modern could be an awful

mistake in concert programming, but not when it is in the hands of this talented ensemble formed eight years ago when its members were studying at the Royal Academy of Music.

Several awards and major prizes later, this quintet came to Brighton to give a jolly recital of music from established moderns such as Darius Milhaud, Carl Nielsen and Samuel Barber and two smashing up-to-the-minute pieces from Graham Sheen and Paul Patterson.

Sheen's piece was based on an obscure tale from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. The White Crow was narrated with descriptive music for each character and each event.

Highly accessible, too, was Patterson's Westerly Winds, based on West Country Folk Tunes, Farmer Giles, Widdecombe Fair, Linden Lea and the Helston Floral Dance. This piece weaved some splendid music; evocative and great fun.

In fact, the Galliards are a fun group all round but a group with high musical standards and a knack of choosing music which leaves you wanting more.

The Friends Centre, Ship Street, Brighton Friday
In association with South East Music Schemes