Secretary Of State Condoleezza Rice Played Piano Recital For Queen Elizabeth

London, England (AHN) - Britain's Queen Elizabeth was treated to a private piano recital by outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Monday.

Condoleezza, who is a concert level pianist, played a piece by Brahms, and was joined by Louise Miliband - the wife of U.K. Foreign Secretary David Miliband - and three members of the London Symphony Orchestra.

A palace spokeswoman said: "Condoleezza expressed a wish to play at Buckingham Palace and the queen offered her to play in the music room."

The Secretary of State was keen to play for the monarch before she leaves office when the current U.S. administration ends in January. Queen Elizabeth listened to some of the performance, and then gave Condoleezza a recording of it as a souvenir.

The politician has played the piano since she was a child, and originally planned to embark on a career in music. She even began studying the subject at university, but eventually swapped to political science.

She was taught the instrument by her mother - a music teacher - and often performs private chamber music recitals with four friends. Her high powered job and love of the piano has led to her being described as the world's most prominent amateur musician.