Antonio Forcione Quartet, Forest Arts, New Milton

TAKE the deep, throbbing cello of African Jenny Adejayan. Mix with the rich variety of percussive sound colours from Brazilian Adriano Pinto. Embellish with the eastern accordion of Russian Igor Otkine. Add the phenomenal brilliance of Italian acoustic guitar virtuoso Antonio Forcione.

The result is a unique and compelling concert. The slowly stirring African Dawn is a wonderfully atmospheric piece, Diary is a thoughtful duet between guitar and cello, and the achingly beautiful Night Passage features haunting and mesmeric melodies.

The Spanish and Moorish Alhambra is symphonic in its complexity, the whirling Tarantella reflects Gypsy, Celtic and Mediterranean influences, and Touch Wood illustrates Forcione's awesome musicianship and creative humour, including old typewriter sounds! Despite some superb guitar playing, there is an impish and magician-like joie de vivre about Forcione's music. A deserved standing ovation.