Making its third Hobart appearance, the Benaud Trio, founded in 2005, have been widely lauded for their superb musicianship and wide-ranging repertoire. On this occasion a Viennese classic was paired with two contemporary pieces.

Schubert’s Piano Trio No. 1 in B flat D.898 (1827) is one of two piano trio masterpieces written near the end of his short life. The Benaud’s brought beautifully integrated ensemble playing, the lively robust music full of intensity while the quieter sections had all the warmth and eloquence needed.

Pianist Amir Farid was always imaginative in his phrasing while Ewen Bramble shone in his cello solo in the Andante. There was also wonderful energy and shaping from the performers in the Scherzo.

The Benaud Trio. Photo supplied

The remaining two works composed respectively in 2007 and 2002, were inspired by New York City. Australian Luke Altmann’s Prelude to New York, in its hushed repetitiveness, certainly creates a mood of stillness and contemplation, and was played with dedication. I must confess that such music – as with Max Richter and some of Arvo Pärt’s output (two comparison composers mentioned by violinist Lachlan Bramble in his introduction) – offers...