Australia has happily enjoyed an exciting development in historically informed performance practice (HIPP) over recent decades. Following European precedence and research, there has been a sea change in pedagogy towards the interpretation of pre-Romantic music. Young keyboardists may choose to learn harpsichord rather than piano, guitarists the lute, while violinists are mastering the possibilities of technique, expression and affect from earlier manifestations of their instrument. Several specialist Baroque ensembles have developed, even an opera company. And now we have this eager young ensemble dedicated to performing music from 1750 as it may have first sounded.

Conducted by its artistic director and founder (in 2013), veteran Australian music educator Richard Gill, Pastoral Melodies – Idyllic & Tempestuous by the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra (ARCO for short, and formerly orchestra seventeen88) in Melbourne comprised an Austro-German program of two Classical works and two Romantic.

Richard Gill and the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra. Photo © Nick Gilbert

Mendelssohn’s alluring and fantastical Hebrides Overture, Op. 26 Fingal’s Cave commenced proceedings, followed by Brahms’s Fünf Gesänge (Five Songs), Op. 104 – sung by Melbourne’s vocal ensemble Polyphonic Voices alone – and Mozart’s Missa brevis No 7 in C major K. 258, sometimes...