If at times it seems hard to pin down Sydney-based chamber group Omega Ensemble, in many ways that is a good thing. With programming and line-up two of their strengths, their concerts seldom disappoint, and this, the first of their 2017 season, was no exception. Perhaps Debussy, Haydn and Mozart don’t make for the riskiest bill of fare (and perhaps the second half should have come first), but when the playing is as fine as this it hardly seems to matter.

Debussy’s String Quartet was the opener and received a very fine reading indeed, tight of ensemble and with plenty of fire in its belly. No temptation here to wallow in any wishy-washy impressionism. Adelaide Symphony Orchestra concertmaster Natsuko Yoshimoto and the ACO’s Ike See on violins made a finely blended top half, perfectly balanced against Neil Thompson on viola and Paul Stender on cello, both of whom are Australian Opera Orchestra regulars (among others).

They may not be an ‘official’ quartet, but most have worked together before and it showed, particularly in the dramatic chords of the opening and the spirited pizzicati, which made for a zinger of a second movement. Despite the mobile phone – which one quick-thinking player...