This was clearly an important recital for pianist Sergio Tiempo.

In his introductory remarks before the performance, he said that the programming was intended as a dual tribute to both his “musical father” – the Brazilian pianist Nelson Freire – and his own father. Both died in the past year.

As you might expect, then, it was a touching and personal recital that also allowed Tiempo to showcase his remarkable virtuosity across a wide-ranging recital of favourites and lesser-known works.

Sergio Tiempo. Photo supplied.

The first half was Chopin-focused, and began with the fast and furious Prelude No. 3 in G from the Op. 28 set.

Tiempo had also pointed out that his programming meant that each piece he played could segue into the next seamlessly, and so it did – the following Etude No. 6 in E-flat minor (from Op. 10) sinuously wound on from the previous piece, and Tiempo’s performance here really highlighted the Etude’s dense chromatic nature. Likewise, the Prelude No. 15 in D-flat (AKA the “Raindrop”) ran almost directly into the following Prelude No. 16 in B-flat minor, making for a sort of uber-Chopin performance playlist. It...