THE trains clattered and the passengers scattered, Flinders Street Station's historic and crumbling ballroom played host to its first performance in 29 years.

Melbourne pianists Elizabeth Drake and Caroline Almonte performed the 90-minute, minimalist piece Canto Ostinato on grand pianos, as the ballroom came alive for a performance beamed to 500 people at Federation Square and over the station's platform loudspeakers.

Although it has been closed since 1983, the old ballroom still retains its elegance. But with large sections of paint peeling and large cracks in the walls, it is evident that a major restoration is needed before it could be considered for public use it again.

Making the performance a reality was no mean feat. The 300-kilogram grand pianos had to be dismantled and hauled up three levels of narrow stairs to get them into place.