I have been an unashamed fan of the Australian Chamber Orchestra and its always interesting and often spellbinding leader Richard Tognetti for three decades, first as a subscriber and then as a reviewer.

During that time, as Artistic Director, he has honed and shaped the group into what the London Times has hailed as “the best chamber orchestra on earth”. As a performer, composer and arranger, he has picked up multiple awards and honours, as well as being made a National Living Treasurer and gonged with an Order of Australia.

Richard Tognetti. Photo courtesy of the Australian Chamber Orchestra

An ACO event is always a special occasion and this third concert in the Up Close series, hosted in Sydney by SBS Insight moderator Kumi Taguchi in the orchestra’s new state-of-the-art concert hall, The Neilson, was no exception.

Tognetti played four works that had a deep personal meaning for him, choosing as his recital partner the exceptional Australia-based Russian pianist Konstantin Shamray. Over the 90 minutes, the duo showed great chemistry as Tognetti took us on a journey starting with the Partita for violin and piano by Witold Lutosławski, who he describes...