Beginning their concert is Beethoven’s fifth and last sonata for piano and cello, a visionary and lyrical work from 1815 that signalled the beginning of the ‘late period’ in his output.

This is followed by the magical Pohádka (Fairy Tale) by Czech composer Janáček. The first half closes with three exquisite short works by Schumann: his Fantasy Pieces Op 73.

After the interval comes four short and characterful pieces written in 2017 by Alex Taylor, an award-winning composer from Aotearoa.

Two sonatas from the twentieth century complete the programme:

  • Kodaly’s two movement Sonata for Cello & Piano Op 4, with its folk-influenced melodies and Debussyan harmonies.
  • Debussy's brief Sonata for Cello & Piano from 1915. This work, with its ecstatic outbursts and dark humour, is strongly influenced by commedia dell'arte. It provides an exciting and satisfying end to the concert.

“The music in our programme is both wonderful to play and to listen to,” said the duo’s pianist Rachel Thomson. “In Piano House is the refurbished piano taken from the Christchurch Town Hall post-earthquakes. It’ll be a real experience to perform on this instrument."