Equal respect given to composers old and new, from a variety of genres and nations, in a remarkable orchestral performance.

Federation Concert Hall, Hobart

April 13, 2014

Magic spells, inner turmoil, and comedic revenge – and all on a lazy Saturday afternoon. It was no surprise that the hall was packed when the TSO joined forces with ARIA winning songstress Katie Noonan this weekend to deliver works from Berg to Beethoven (and everything in between).

The performance commenced with the overture to Strauss’ Die Fledermaus – a playful operetta centred around a husband and wife who each plot revenge for tricks played on one another. Despite a slightly messy opening, the orchestra managed to capture the buoyancy and comedy over its short duration. Benjamin Northey, who in 2007 won the Limelight Best Newcomer Award, continued to demonstrate his position as one of the nation’s most talented emerging conductors. It was a delight to witness the enjoyment and the energy he brought to the Strauss, affirming my belief that the work is best heard live.

After the overture was when the concert really began. The TSO has quite a history with Australian composer Kats-Chernin, having commissioned her work Obsidian Light and joint-commissioned Ornamental...