It opens with Stravinsky’s Danses Concertantes: music that feels like a witty, abstract ballet, full of twists, playful rhythms and bursts of colour. It’s lean, stylish and packs a punch. Next comes Nielsen’s Flute Concerto, a piece that feels both charming and mischievous. It’s music that sings, sparkles and teases, and it gives the flute a rare starring role. Bringing it to life is Lisa-Maree Amos, Orchestra Victoria’s Section Principal Flute, whose sound is equal parts radiant and agile. Paul Stanhope’s Apollo grounds the program in the present, blending a tribute to the Apollo space missions with a nod to Stravinsky’s clear-lined style. The evening closes with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1. Picture a bold young composer throwing down a gauntlet to the world. This symphony is personal, playful, dramatic and brimming with confidence: to us it represents the spark that ignited everything Beethoven would later become.

On the podium is Umberto Clerici, a conductor known for his warmth, humour and fearless musicality.