Concert goers were treated to the "unusual sight" of two people playing the same piano when Pershore Choral performed their latest rendition of a major choral classic more than three years later than planned.

The choir had to cancel their planned performance of Brahms’ “German Requiem” in 2020 because of the Covid epidemic.

However, when the concert finally took place on the same evening as the Eurovision Song Contest, supporters packed into Pershore Abbey to witness the work being presented exactly as Brahms intended – with four hands running over the piano keyboard at the same time.

“The piano accompaniment is so complicated and has such a vast range that it needs two top class pianists to play it,” explained Paul Clarke, chairman of Pershore Choral.

“The hugely experienced pianists who performed that task for us were more than equal to the challenge and it was a magnificent achievement much appreciated by those who chose us rather than Eurovision for their evening’s entertainment."

The two pianists were Tim Sidford, whose freelance work includes providing accompaniment at the choir’s weekly rehearsals, and his friend and colleague, Janine Parsons, who is head of keyboard at Bromsgrove School.

“We know each other and get on well which is fortunate when you are sharing the same keyboard,” said Tim who has appeared in concerts throughout the UK, Germany and Holland and who once performed for the late Queen.

“It sometimes causes surprise when people see two pianists at the same keyboard but that is exactly how Brahms scored this version – for four hands instead of two.”

The concert was under the expert baton of Carleton Etherington who has developed Pershore Choral into a highly accomplished choir during his 17 years as musical director.

The two soloists were Rose Johnson (soprano) and Charles Murray (baritone) who have both recently graduated from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

• Pershore Choral’s next concert, an evening of French choral and organ music, will take place at Pershore Abbey on November 18 starting at 7.30pm.