In a concert affected by Covid, Dimity Hall replaced Natalie Chee on violin, and Anton Arensky’s Piano Trio No 2 in F minor had to be dropped with Beethoven’s Cello Sonata No 5, Op. 102, No 2 in its place.

With Dimity Hall’s husband Julian Smiles on cello, Kathryn Selby playing piano and Hall on violin, the concert opened with the Fantasy Trio in B minor, Op. 26, by Miriam Hyde. Composed in London at the age of 20, this trio is full of passion and dynamic colour. Gorgeous and powerful melodies lead on the violin as the cello and piano accompany with colour and nuance.

Kathryn Selby. Image supplied.

This is restless, yearning music that moves through sections of heated passion and subtle tenderness. It’s a well-rounded composition that reflects the music of the romantic period, just before Hyde wrote this. The violin and cello carry the bulk of the romantic expression while flowing lines from the piano join the story together.

Showing excellent compositional skills, the voice of the music had a clear and direct approach through its dramatic content. This is another excellent Australian composition by one of...