COMPOSER Arnold Schoenberg was inspired to write Verklarte Nacht (Transfigured Night) by a Richard Dehmel poem, in which a young woman confesses to her lover during an evening walk that she is expecting a child by another man. However, the lover says he will accept the child as his own and not make her conscience-stricken.

Schoenberg had fallen in love with his teacher’s sister and within three weeks had composed the piece.

This performance featured superlative pianist Robin Green and Maia Broido, a most sympathetic violinist, matched by James Barralet on the cello. The piano added a lovely sonority to the romantic background of the young lovers and there was a beautiful dialogue between violin and cello. It made an amazing musical story achingly told by the three instrumentalists.

The concert also included wonderful pieces by Mozart and Schubert. It was a privilege to hear such high class musicians in Thornbury and a tremendous opportunity to hear top class chamber music played in the town.