Mozart’s piano trios and violin sonatas span his creative life and show him gradually emancipating the violin and cello from subordinate roles to develop a more equal dialogue with the piano. As a child Mozart wrote these works to perform himself, but later they were intended for publication in Vienna where they satisfied a domestic market for chamber music. However, Mozart’s keyboard writing outstripped the capabilities of amateurs in such masterpieces as the G minor piano quartet, which came close to the world of the piano concerto whilst maintaining the intimacy of chamber music.

These study sessions are hosted by composer Julian Philips and pianist Laura Roberts with contributions from distinguished visiting musicians and students from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.