In spite of the heatwave, Wimbledon and Silverstone, there were very few seats left for the concert by the popular Beacon Piano Trio – violin: Anna Cockroft, cello: Ruth Lass and piano: Joyce Clarke - at Sidholme on Sunday afternoon, of July 8.

In the beautiful Music Room, surely the finest in East Devon, they delighted their audience with works by Handel, Schubert, Fritz Kreisler and Beethoven.

They chose as their first piece Handel’s Trio in A Opus 1 No 14.

This started its life as a violin sonata with continuo, but now, transcribed for piano, violin and cello, with the violin very much the leading instrument, it has understandably become a popular concert piece.

In 1812, the fifteen-year-old Schubert lost his place in Vienna’s Imperial Chapel Choir as the inevitable result of his voice breaking.

Already studying with Antonio Salieri, the following day he returned to composition, writing a single movement trio: the Piano Trio in B flat D28.

It is, of course, a youthful work and the Beacon Piano Trio displayed these very features in their sensitive playing in this, their second item.

Next, a complete contrast with the ever popular music of Fritz Kreisler: Liebesleid (Love’s sorrow) and Liebesfreud (Love’s joy). This romantic interlude was beautifully played and much appreciated by this Sunday afternoon audience.

Finally, Beethoven’s Piano Trio in E flat Op 1 No 1

In 1787, the 16-year-old Beethoven travelled to Vienna hoping to study with Mozart. He played for him, and Mozart, afterwards, said, “Keep an eye on him: some day he will give the world something to talk about”. But after just two weeks, he had to return home because of his mother’s illness.

In 1792, he moved to Vienna to study with Haydn and Salieri. Already an established piano virtuoso, he wrote and published a set of three piano trios of which this is the first.

It is a young work and the Trio gave a performance full of the tender exuberance of youth.

This was a fitting finale to another excellent recital by this talented ensemble, who will be giving another concert at Sidmouth Parish Church on Friday, August 17, at 12.30pm.

A S Colto