For their second concert, the Sitkovetsky Trio is joined by Australia’s own Stefanie Farrands, Principal Viola of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, in a program of distinctively Hungarian flavour. The scene is set with Haydn’s Hungarian-influenced Piano Trio No. 39 in G major, written during one of Haydn’s ‘liberating’ sojourns in London and dedicated to his student and intimate confidant Rebecca Schroeter. The Hungarian Ernő Dohnányi’s Serenade for string trio represents a composer finding his voice. Here, Brahmsian sensibility melds with overt Hungarian folk idioms, heralding the renewed interest in folk music styles that was to characterise the first half of twentieth-century music-making. In the program’s second half, Brahms’ G minor piano quartet – a product of his innovative twenties – references the nod to Hungarian musical styles established by Haydn. Brahms’ expansive, dramatic work marries symphonic generosity with chamber music intimacy before ending with a raucous dance ‘alla zingarese’.

Sitkovetsky Trio are also performing at UKARIA on Saturday 18 July at 5.30pm.