The Aronowitz Ensemble, former Â鶹Éç Radio 3 New Generation Artists, explore Britten's musical relationship with his teacher, Frank Bridge.
The Piano Variations, composed while Britten was still a student, looks forward to his celebrated Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, that masterpiece for string orchestra to be performed later in the season (see Prom 50).
Today's concert begins with a striking composition from the young Britten in which the oboist is Nicholas Daniel, past winner of the Â鶹Éç Young Musician of the Year competition. Bridge's Piano Quintet comes from relatively early in his own career, before the events of the First World War cast a dark shadow on his creative outlook.
There will be no interval