THEY have been at the forefront of chamber music for over two decades.

And next week the tremendous Gould Piano Trio will pull into Melrose to perform works by Brahms, James MacMillan and Schubert.

The trio, who won the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition 20 years ago, became the 'Rising Stars’ of chamber music performing at major venues in Europe and North America. They are now familiar to listeners of BBC Radio 3, and perform at major venues in the UK and abroad, with regular tours to the United States.

Cellist Alice Neary, was winner of the 1998 Pierre Fournier Award and made a highly successful début at the Wigmore Hall in London, before launching her career in the UK and abroad. She has played with leading orchestras in the UK, USA and Israel.

Benjamin Frith, the pianist, chose to pursue a musical career after winning the UK Dudley National Piano Competition at 14. After winning many prizes in competition, he has achieved international recognition.

Lucy Gould studied violin at the Royal Academy of Music and Indiana University. She has performed with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Bournemouth Sinfonietta and the English String Orchestra. She regularly appears as guest leader of major orchestras and holds the position of principal second violin of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe.

Brahm’s C minor Piano Trio, one of the composer’s shortest chamber works, was a favourite of his pianist friend Clara Schumann, wife of Robert and a woman whom Brahms loved deeply and respected. Written with maturity, in 1886, it is lyrical, full of passion and even, at times, hectic.

This will be followed by James MacMillan’s Piano Trio No. 2 written for the Gould Trio. A Scottish composer and conductor, MacMillan’s music is infused with the spiritual and the political and he is best known for his sacred works. Tickets for the concert in Melrose Parish Church Hall on Thursday, January 15, cost £12 at the door (free for accompanied children). The curtain goes up at 7.30pm.