Throughout pianist Michael McHale gave superb support to his colleagues, especially so in the Brahms items whose piano parts are both difficult and often over-stuffed with notes. Yet never once did he overwhelm his partners; for me he was the unsung hero of the evening.

But that is not to downgrade the others. I have admired Michael Collins’ playing since his early days with the London Sinfonietta. He was as ever marvellous, dynamic when required to be but also supremely sensitive. Cellist Leonard Elschenbroich was new to me and his playing was full of beauty of line and eloquent expressiveness.

The concert began with the early Beethoven Trio op.11, a work full of exuberant invention and energy to which the performers responded with delight. From youth to older age with Brahms’ second clarinet sonata, a work which like much ‘late ‘ Brahms can succumb to melancholy if not played with the backbone that Collins and McHale brought to it.

Then it was Elschenbroich’s turn to shine with Beethoven’s glorious A Major Sonata op. 69. Tough competition here, all the world’s great cellists have made memorable recordings of it, but he held his own with playing that was inward when required to be and full-toned and extravert elsewhere, ably supported by his ever-attentive ‘accompanist’.

Finally more ‘late’ Brahms. His Trio op 114. put the trio back together for a performance that showed their empathetic sense of ensemble and joy in music-making. It was greeted by rapturous and richly deserved applause.

G.K.