Amorous mischief in the Romantic & Classical orchestra’s 2022 return
“The players were well at ease with Elgar’s unique blend of Victorian formality laced with amorous mischief, while the Wolf (seemingly describing the wayward adventures of a cantering horse) was treated with sparkling light and shade, enhanced by deft solo cameos from director Rachael Beesley and fellow principals Matthew Bruce, Simon Oswell and JiEun Lee.
“A skilful arrangement for strings of Schumann’s Fantasiestucke by Shauna Beesley shed new light on these three fantasy pieces originally conceived for clarinet and piano; the second and third having a particularly effective interplay of contrasting textures.
“This unashamedly romantic program was a perfect vehicle for appreciating ARCO’s historically informed performance practice, with its rich, generous tone, in part derived from gut strings and unstinting vibrato. Amidst all these swoon-worthy serenades, the only thing missing were some potted aspidistras.”
Tony Way, The Age/The Sydney Morning Herald, 30 March 2022