The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir with the  Australian Chamber Orchestra (Richard Tognetti director) perform:

• Arvo Pärt Da pacem Domine
• J. S. Bach Komm, Jesu, komm
• Arvo Pärt Summa
• J. S. Bach Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied
• Arvo Pärt Toccata from Collage on B-A-C-H
• J. S. Bach Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden
• J. S. Bach Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf
• Galina Grigorjeva In Paradisum
• Sculthorpe Djilile
• Arvo Pärt Berliner Messe

White Hat strongly recommends that anyone interested in choral music (or classical music in general) should go out of their way to hear this excellent programme. The world-renowned Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir together with the  Australian Chamber Orchestra alternate the mystical minimalism of the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt with the intricate and muscular polyphony of Bach's motets. Combing these two world's is Pärt's Toccata for strings from his Collage on B-A-C-H. The programme is rounded up with an offering form contemporary Estonian composer Galina Grigorjeva and Australian composer Peter Sculthorpe's Djilile, inspired by Indigenous song.

Our rating - 5 Hats

The Australian Chamber Orchestra with Lorenza Borrani (director & violin) perform:

• Prokofiev (arr. Lorenza Borrani) Violin Sonata No.1 in F minor
• Dobrinka Tabakova Such Different Paths (Australian Premiere)
• Beethoven (arr. strings) String Quartet in F major, Op.135

Over the years, White Hat has found that the Australian Chamber Orchestra has consistently brought us some of the most thoughtfully constructed and thought-provoking concerts on the Australian scene. This concert is no exception.

Beethoven's late string quartets strain to break the limitations of their limited forces and gain a useful new perspective when occasionally heard in arrangement for string orchestra. Similarly Prokofiev's Violin Sonata No.1 provides different insights when the piano is replaced by string orchestra. As an interlude between these powerful works, Bulgarian-British composer Dobrinka Tabakova’s Such Different Paths offers a radiant interlude evoking life’s journey.

Fiery and charismatic Italian violinist Lorenza Borrani, who delighted audiences on her last tour here in 2016, returns to lead this program of emotionally rich music.