Cara Berridge is well-known to Wallingford audiences as the cellist of the Sacconi Quartet; she also enjoys solo recitals and playing with various chamber orchestras. She graduated from the Royal College of Music in 2002 and received a Postgraduate Diploma and Advanced Diploma with Distinction. Cara plays a Nicolaus Gagliano cello from 1781, generously on loan to her from the Royal Society of Musicians.

Claude Debussy wrote his Cello Sonata in 1915, when he was already struggling with the cancer which would prove fatal. It is in classical form, but infused with adventurous twentieth-century harmonic language.

Beethoven’s fifth, and last, Cello Sonata op. 102 no. 2 is one of his most dramatic works, written for Joseph Linke, cellist of the Schuppanzigh Quartet that premiered many of Beethoven’s string quartets.

The brief and animated Papillon displays Fauré’s skill at spinning out atmosphere and melody. It is one of his most performed pieces.

Frédéric Chopin wrote almost exclusively for solo piano; his Cello Sonata is the most significant of his chamber works, full of tension, romantic impulses and subtle melodies.