Musica Viva Australia has a long involvement with the Adelaide Festival and the latest concert which pairs the very fine oboist Diana Doherty and the Streeton Trio is of the highest quality. This recital is comprised of three works: two oboe quartets (Martinů and Lachlan Skipworth) – a rather rare genre – and an acclaimed staple from the virtuoso piano trio, Mendelssohn’s  #1).

Oboist Diana Doherty. Photo © Christie Brewster

The concert commenced with an excellent performance of Bohuslav Martinů’s oboe quartet of 1947, composed after Martinů’s post WWII emigration to the United States. Then teaching at the famed Mannes School of Music, he came to value Mozart’s oboe quartet and set about composing his own, influenced by this great work, but replacing Mozart’s viola with piano. This performance of the compact work in two movements was equal to any recorded performance. Here was a performance of fine instrumental balance and virtuosity as one would expect from such accomplished musicians – one wherein there was admirable ensemble playing whilst presenting individual clarity in the interweaving of the instrumental voices and balance between the players. The first movement was buoyant and playful...