Centre Stage: Rachmaninoff & Lyapunov

We begin this hour-long programme with Rachmaninoff’s first Piano Trio, written when the composer was only eighteen. You will hear a single, expansive movement that relies on a recurring four-note motif, shifting through various textures while maintaining a persistent sense of mourning. It is a work of great intensity that showcases the piano’s ability to lead a small ensemble. This is paired with Lyapunov’s Piano Sextet, a piece that expands the sonic palette significantly. By including a double bass alongside the more traditional string quartet and piano, Lyapunov achieves a depth of tone that feels almost symphonic. Listen for how the bass provides a firm foundation for the soaring melodic lines in the violins and viola. The evening is shaped to highlight the transition from intimate, concentrated grief in the trio to the broader, more textured soundscapes of the sextet, offering a comprehensive look at late-Romantic chamber writing.

The performance features pianist John Thwaites alongside a quintet of strings drawn from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra: Nate Bomans, Victoria Farrell-Reed, Michael Jenkinson, Helen Edgar, and Julian Atkinson. As members of the city’s resident symphony, these musicians are primarily known for their expertise in the core orchestral repertoire. In this chamber setting, however, they shift focus to a more transparent style of playing. The ensemble is celebrated for its technical precision and its role at the heart of Birmingham’s cultural life, regularly presenting these smaller-scale concerts to explore more nuanced, conversational works.

This performance takes place at the CBSO Centre in Birmingham, a venue specifically designed for the clarity required in chamber music. With a duration of sixty minutes and no interval, it is an ideal choice if you prefer a shorter, more concentrated musical experience or if you are attending a classical concert for the first time. There is no specific dress code for this event, so you should feel comfortable in everyday attire. The programme concludes within the hour, making it a convenient option for an early evening outing in the city centre.