Over the past 29 years, the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra has grown from a two-concert twinkle in the eyes of founders Paul Dyer and Bruce Applebaum into a national organisation with tentacles reaching from Brisbane to Perth. During that time, baroque music has gone from a fringe concern to one of classical music’s most rapidly expanding branches with a horde of devotees eager to see what forgotten treasures will be dug up next. Dyer himself has led the charge down under, with a host of enlightening Australian premieres enriching the average ABO season.

Paul Dyer. Photo © Pedro Greig

Of course, as Dyer says, looking back over the years and choosing highlights is “like trying to pick out a favourite child”, though he broadly singles out the pleasures of engaging with loyal supporters and the chance to meet and hear from audience members who explain how a particular concert or recording has changed their outlook on life. “That’s powerful for me and spurs me on,” he says, going on to elaborate on a few special moments. “Our European tour...