David Brain (piano)

London based pianist David Brain presents a programme of strongly contrasting works, beginning with a generous slice of 1920s jazz in the guise of Gershwin's Three Preludes. High spirits continue with Schubert's Sonata, D.575, a relatively early composition in the unusual key of B major, its tender slow movement striking a slightly deeper tone. The first half ends with one of the essential foundation stones of the Romantic repertoire from Chopin's full maturity: the Fourth Ballade in F minor.

Interval refreshments will be served

Poulenc's infrequently heard Novelettes follow the intermission; three works of considerable mercurial charm and poignancy. A delightful model in Classical transparency, the fourth in Haydn's series of six "Esterházy" Sonatas, Hob.XVI/24 in D major fizzes with vivacity and invention, its central movement uncovering unexpected solemnities. To conclude, we are transported to an environment of forbidding coastlines, crashing waves and shrieking gulls as Messiaen's Curlew evokes all the graphic drama of the natural world.