THREE acclaimed musicians whose reputations precede them all over the world are to play at Walton Hall on Wednesday.

The Gould Piano Trio will be performing as part of the Friends of Walton Music series.

For more than 20 years, violinist Lucy Gould, cellist Alice Neary and pianist Benjamin Frith have been at the forefront of the chamber music scene.

They first gained recognition after winning the first Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition and went on to perform at major venues in Europe and North America.

They have developed a close relationship with Wigmore Hall in London and draw particular inspiration through creating their own chamber music festivals in Corbridge, Northumberland and in Cardiff at the Royal Welsh College of Music.

Lucy, who founded the trio in 1992, is principal second violin with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and has made concerto appearances with many of the leading British orchestras.

Alice, having won the Pierre Fournier Award in 1998, plays regularly with the Nash Ensemble and has also played concertos with leading orchestras including both the Baltimore and Israel Symphony Orchestras.

Benjamin won top prize in the Busoni International Piano Competition as well as Gold Medal in the Artur Rubinstein Piano Masters International Competition.

He was an adjudicator at last year's Warrington Competition for Young Musicians and will be returning to Walton Hall concerts later this year as soloist.

The Gould Piano Trio will perform at Walton Hall on Wednesday at 7.45pm. Tickets are £11 including refreshments. Call Norman Cutter on 265146.