The small but perfectly formed classical music festival at St Michaels’ and All Angels launched today with a perfect trio of Piano Duets from festival Favorites Raija Walker & Glen Capra. With a selection of lunchtime Piano Duets over the next month, this pair have the kind of joyful, light fingered style that simply lifts the soul, set this in the splendid setting (and acoustic) of St Michaels’ and all Angels and these short concerts are an antidote to the rest of the festival mania.

Today’s program was Poulenc, Faure and the Petit Suite by Debussy, as they played the Petite Suite the sun came crashing down through the stained glass windows, illuminating the pianists and I had a perfect moment. These upbeat and versatile duettists are a dynamic one-piano four handed team and they paid delightful homage to this often-neglected piano duet by Debussy. Capra was gently assertive, giving the melodic first movement a percussive, humble mood. But the Menuet and Ballet were high-spirited and buoyantly textured, and the two pianists ended with gusto. A delight!

Featuring a whole range of classic music & concerts at lunchtime, afternoon and evening, yet again St Micheal's continues to provide a high quality (but reasonably priced) classical alternative to the expensive main festival.

Listings for all concerts at St Michael and All Angles here: