Curated by Australian composer, Matthew Hindson, the Canberra Symphony Orchestra’s innovative Australian Series features chamber works written by Australian composers and played by Australian artists.  For this concert, the CSO Wind Quintet was augmented by the incomparable (and she is – in the world) oboist, and CSO artist in focus for 2019, Diana Doherty.

Diana Doherty

The concert began with four of the quintet at the back of the room, playing tiny handbells gently tinkling as Kiri Sollis, playing an alto flute, entered from the side at the front, playing Ross Edwards’ hauntingly beautiful, Japanese-influenced, Water Spirit Song. As she made her way to the back of the capacity audience and then slowly to the front, her companions followed, finally ending up on the stage.  It very much evoked a sense of tranquillity and peace.

With the quintet returning to their usual instruments, two more pieces from Edwards followed, the three-movement Incantations and Ulpirra, with its clever structure, almost like a round, with the melody and accompanying foundation passing across the five instruments. These pieces were quite tricky, especially in the up-beat sections, with some off-beat rhythms, and quick-succession entries that required absolute precision....