Beethoven: Clarinet Trio in B flat Op. 11, Fauré: Cello Sonata in G minor Op. 117, Schumann: Fantasiestücke for Clarinet and Piano, Brahms: Clarinet Trio in A minor Op. 114

Beethoven’s Opus 11 is attractive, uncomplicated music, ‘a delectable Trio whose lightheartedness belies its craftsmanship’.

Fauré’s second Cello Sonata was a work of his old age. After its first performance a composer friend wrote: ‘The Andante is a masterpiece of sensitivity and expression, and I love the finale, so perky and delightful. … How lucky you are to stay young like that!’.

Schumann’s three Fantasiestücke juxtapose contrasts of mood and motion with wonderful spontaneity, so typical of his smaller works.

Brahms’ Clarinet Trio, the first of four major works for the instrument, was inspired by the playing of his contemporary, Richard Mühlfeld.

Julian Bliss is one of the world’s finest clarinetists, excelling as a concerto soloist, chamber musician, jazz artist, masterclass leader and tireless musical explorer. In recital and chamber music he has played at most of the world’s leading festivals and venues including Gstaad, and the Lincoln Center (New York).

Richard Harwood won the 2004 Pierre Fournier Award, has collaborated with the Endellion Quartet and many other world-class musicians. In 2014 he became the cellist of the Sitkovetsky Trio.

James Baillieu attracts superlatives: ‘prodigiously gifted’, ‘in a class of his own’, ‘in the same bracket as Gerald Moore/Graham Johnson’, ‘a magician of the keyboard’.