Portsmouth Piano Circle Recital

Portsmouth Piano Circle are holding their public recital at Portsmouth Central Library on Saturday 12 September, from 12:30 to 15:00. It's a few hours of classical favourites played by a variety of local musicians, and it's their open window to the city.

The programme is a broad one. You'll hear Franck's Violin Sonata and Chopin's Ballade No. 1, alongside a piano transcription of Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 2, Beethoven's Tempest Sonata and Addinsell's Warsaw Concerto. It's not just piano, either: flute, trumpet and violin join in throughout, so it's a mixed bill rather than a solo recital.

To understand the afternoon, it helps to know who's behind it. The Portsmouth Piano Circle is a friendly community of adult pianists and other musicians who meet every four to six weeks to perform for one another, listen and share music in a relaxed, supportive setting. Most members are pianists, but singers, instrumentalists and chamber musicians are warmly welcomed, and the focus is on sharing music and building confidence rather than competition or perfection. There's no annual membership fee: performers pay £5 and audience members £2, with contributions paid on arrival. The group always plays at The Menuhin Room in Portsmouth Central Library, close to Guildhall Square and Portsmouth & Southsea station. Their regular members' meetings, which aren't the public recital, run 11:00-14:00.

The recital is the one time they open their doors to the public. Entry is free, with donations on the door going to charity. It runs from 12:30 to 15:00 in The Menuhin Room, inside Portsmouth Central Library on Guildhall Walk, PO1 2DX.