Without the millions Jack Lyons poured into its development, symbolised by the concert hall universally known as “the Lyons”, the University of York’s music department might not even exist.

So an annual showcase of some of its finest talent is a fitting tribute to its greatest benefactor.

It provided something of a musical mystery tour, which turned out to be an all-20th century excursion barring a quick visit to Schumann. Daniel Chadwick’s adept handling of Berio’s fifth Sequenza, for solo trombone, was as much theatre as music, often involving the player in simultaneous humming and playing, and noises more wondrous still.

Joseph Wong’s rambling Duo For Percussion provided a stern test, negotiated smoothly, for Martin Scheuregger and Dave Smyth, at their best when briskly syncopating over a steady pulse. For sheer technical facility, Sarah Naylor’s lively flute took the laurels, in Eugène Bozza’s Image. Her rapid register-switching and presto finger work were impeccable.

Joe Murgatroyd revealed considerable fluency in Artie Shaw’s Concerto For Clarinet, in the version with piano and drum-kit accompaniment.

Desmond Clarke brought remarkable breath-control to Schumann’s Three Romances for oboe. His was a true duo with pianist Mark Hutchinson. Charm and theatrical skill marked Anna Edgington’s adventurous attempt to import Britten’s four Cabaret Songs, while smooth trumpeting by Matthew Postle and some terrific piano riffs by Dave Morecroft made a frisky finale of their jazz set. A tasty pot-pourri.