Photo: Joseph Havlat, Australian Festival of Chamber Music. Photo © Rob Parsons

Artistic Director Jack Liebeck’s sense of humour shines through his curation. After an eloquent Listening to Country led by William Mabo, UK soprano Carolyn Sampson sang the first number of Bernstein’s song cycle I Hate Music with delicious irony. The work was dedicated to Edys Merril, the composer’s flatmate, who complained about his endless piano doodling by exclaiming the work’s title phrase.

String instruments are strongly identified with chamber music but for the opening night of Australian Festival of Chamber Music, Liebeck threw a saxophone quartet, woodwind, french horn player and accordionist into the mix, providing plenty of instrumental colour to keep the ear fresh.

Like any good casting director, Liebeck knows how to pick an impressive line-up. If only Williams could have heard her piece championed through the gifted and persuasive voices of Joshua Barry (flute), Michael Collins (clarinet), Charlotte Miles (cello), Phoebe Russell (double bass) and star trumpeter Mark Smith.

Read my whole article about the Opening Night Concert on Limelight Arts, here.