The idea of a “universally shared purpose” lies behind Australian composer Carl Vine’s new work for clarinet quintet, Concord, which was given its world premiere by David Rowden and Omega Ensemble at Sydney’s City Recital Hall this week.

Omega Ensemble © Jordan Munns

As Vine writes, at a time when we are weighed down by concerns over pandemics, climate change, dwindling resources, global fundamentalist nationalism “and its inevitable companion, the decimation of intelligent discourse”,  he decided to strike a blow for positivity with a work jointly commissioned by Omega – their third world premiere this year – and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.

It is a multi-faceted piece and throughout its 25 minutes Vine conjures diverse colours, tempi, textures and moods – sometimes playful, sometimes anxious, mysterious and ominous, but ultimately positive and optimistic.

Rowden and his quartet – violinists Alexandra Osborne and Peter Clark, violist Neil Thompson and cellist Paul Stender – were in top form for this performance. They have worked closely with Vine as the quintet has developed  – a follow-on from his work as mentor to young composers through the Omega’s CoLab Composer Accelerator Programme.

The opening bars made for...