Portuguese-born pianist Maria João Pires has the ability to transfix audiences with her performances, combining spellbinding poetry and utter sincerity. She is joined by Brazilian cellist Antonio Meneses, formerly cellist of the renowned Beaux Arts Trio, who is admired for his luminous, refined playing. Together, their elegant interpretations let the beauty of the music they play shine through.

Their programme is one of understated passion, from the lyricism and aching melancholy of Schubert’s ‘Arpeggione’ Sonata to the joyful Song without Words by Mendelssohn. Pires performs three solopiano intermezzi by Brahms, deeply personal works of tranquillity and peacefulness, and the two players come together for the same composer’s songful First Cello Sonata, full of rapturous expression.