Maya Homburger, Barry Guy, Pierre Favre

Maya Homburger is a Baroque violinist, who specialise in Bach and in the mystically-inclined, fearsomely virtuosic compositions of Heinrich Biber. Her husband, bassist Barry Guy, is one of the polymaths of the contemporary avant-garde; though he has performed in baroque ensembles, he’s best known as a composer and as a powerful improviser. Over the past few years they have developed a special repertoire drawing together both their specialties. Dakryon, their second disc together, is a dark and haunting recording: Guy’s sombre, rather eerie compositions sit beautifully next to the Baroque material, which includes Biber’s astonishing "Passacaglia” and the tenth "Mystery Sonata.” "Dakryon” is Greek for "teardrop,” and the title-track certainly seems to be an elegy of sorts — a composition interweaving the live trio with a pre-recorded electronic track resembling sped-up church bells. Guest percussionist Pierre Favre is a welcome presence, lightening the plangent string-instrument textures with bright splashes, scurries and sound-bursts.