‘Australian Master’ is a new ABC series which will feature prominent Australian artists. The first set in this new series is pianist Tessa Birnie. Though New Zealand born, Birnie settled in Sydney and formed the much admired Sydney Camerata Chamber Orchestra. Central to her repertoire were the piano works of Schubert and much of this three disc set shows what a fine exponent she was of his great sonatas, and the charming moment musicaux.

The final disc of the set is a collection of smaller works by Chopin, John Field, Fauré and Schumann’s Kinderscenen which Birnie plays with great musical insight without losing sight of charm and simplicity of these pieces. This set is highly recommended. Apparently the next set in this new series is to be the opening concerto from the Sydney Opera House in 1973 with Sir Charles Mackerras, the SSO and Birgit Nilsson.