Filling an entire concert programme with the modern music from just one 20th century composer might not seem an obvious way to win an audience.

But when that composer was Brighton-born Howard Blake of The Snowman score fame, appearing with members of the Brighton Philharmonic for the first concert in their summer series, perhaps it wasn’t such an odd idea after all.

Howard Blake, unable to play his own piano part due to injury, was able to introduce his compositions, with totally disarming modesty.

Pennillion For Cello And Piano, an irresistibly melodic set of variations inspired by the Sussex countryside, was followed by a teenage piano trio; a schoolfellow suggested Blake thought he was Beethoven.

The difficult medium of String Trio (1975) was apparently prompted by his quartet who thought he needed a break.

More serious was the personal crisis responsible for Elegia Stravagante, Op 654, thematic development on a catchy trill motif over seven linked sections.

Howard Blake’s music was instantly accessible and almost entirely melodic. He used familiar harmonies which were just fractionally altered from the traditional to great effect. Occasionally, there were exciting rhythmic pulses and pizzicato string throbs.

The audience was won.

Four stars