Classical review: Australian Chamber Orchestra, Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh

THE Australian Chamber Orchestra opened their Queen’s Hall concert yesterday morning sounding sunny and bright, and playing with a gutsy directness.

Australian Chamber Orchestra

Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh

Star rating: * * * *

Richard Tognetti, directing from the violin, leads his engaging group with untiring energy, as well as bringing his considerable strengths as soloist and arranger to their performances.

Originally written for string quartet, Grieg’s G minor quartet sounded full and meaty in Tognetti’s version. Secure and confident in its biting rhythms and driving attack, the all-standing (except cellos) string ensemble demonstrated an ability to play more loudly than their modest numbers should warrant. Contrasting with the folk music-inspired forte passages, the lighter touch of the second movement Romanze encouraged a more lyrical style along with it.

Optimism and sorrow are Latvian composer Peteris Vasks own words for describing his music, and they were well exemplified in his poignantly elegiac Vox amoris, exquisitely performed by Tognetti, for whom the piece was written, in the solo role. Completing a well-constructed programme, the microtonality of Giacinto Scelsi’s Anâgâmin, with lots of well-balanced tremolo strings, sounded like something from another world.