WHAT a shame only a handful of people turned up to enjoy last night's Trio Phoenix recital, which turned out to be a quiet triumph.

Last-minute adjustments meant the programme ended up substantially altered from what was advertised - so we were denied hearing the first performance of Ana Sokolovic's new work, but were instead treated to Michael Clarke's extraordinary Epicycle for piano and tape.

Pianist Geert Callaert, who stepped in at the last minute, grappled masterfully with this complex work, which mirrored live piano with pre-recorded synthesised music to fascinatingly eerie effect.

But while much of last night's performance featured strong, modern works, this talented trio proved equally at home with a more melodic repertoire by Janacek and Debussy. Cellist Simon Turner's rich, warm playing gave the Janacek's Pohadka for cello and piano a wonderful resonance, with cello and piano bouncing off each other in the second movement.

The second half of the concert began with Debussy's Chansons de Bilitis, played with a lovely liquid light touch by flautist Lieve Schuermans, accompanied by piano.

Late Music Festival artistic director David Power heard the first performance of his new work, Empty And Fast.

Three short pieces from the work were performed - Dark, Backwards and Empty. In places reminiscent of a film score, the middle section included a haunting flute melody echoing beautifully through the building - its clear acoustics a perfect setting for such intimate chamber music.

Updated: 09:16 Friday, March 18, 2005