The sonority of the flute, drawn from the human breath, the sombre timbre of the viola’s bow across its strings, and the resonant vibrations of the harp combine to create a unique sound world that is both fragile and richly expressive.

French influence lies at the heart of the programme, whether directly through Debussy’s visionary Sonata and his evocative Syrinx, Fauré’s luminous Impromptu, or more distantly through the impressionistic language underlying Bax's deeply expressive Elegiac Trio. Alongside these works are two contemporary voices: the French composer Bruno Mantovani and Australian composer Elena Kats-Chernin.

As the concert unfolds, each musician breaks away as soloist, giving audiences the opportunity to revel in the individual artistry of the performers. Just as the composer moulds silence between phrases to become as expressive as melody itself, the performers draw out the essence of the music, painting sounds upon a canvas with their instruments – each note tracing the air like incense.

Thanks to the close proximity of audience and performers, every expressive nuance feels personal, each phrase so vivid it seems almost within reach. The music becomes an intimate language, with remarkable ability to activate the imagination, recall our faintest memories and enliven our senses.

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