Matthew Barley and Stephen de Pledge

Impressionistic colours of light and shade echo across the centuries reflecting some of the most beautiful chamber music ever written for the cello.

Offering choice works of cello and piano in a programme of exquisite symmetry, from the languishing Andante in Bach’s Cello Sonata, and the mirrored reflections of Pärt’s Spiegel im Spiegel, to Takemitsu’s reflection on the Japanese circular idea of time in Orion. “Whereas the modern Western concept of time is linear in nature, that is, its continuance always maintains the same state, in Japan time is perceived as a circulating and repeating entity” – Takemitsu.

Beethoven’s darkly shaded and dynamic Cello Sonata No. 3 finishes this programme, Inter Lacrimas et Luctum, but in tones of quiet jubilation.