After the record-breaking success of Mountain, the Australian Chamber Orchestra is presenting another musical and cinematic odyssey, River. Once again, Richard Tognetti is aiming for a beyond-the-concert-hall experience. But as Harriet Cunningham discovers, River is at heart an environmental film with a more transformative story arc and an urgent message.

Australian Chamber Orchestra
Richard Tognetti and the Australian Chamber Orchestra performing Mountain, 2017. Photo © Maria Boyadgis

Richard Tognetti has a theory about film music. The violin virtuoso and Artistic Director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra says he’s happy to be proven wrong but, after more than a decade of working in the space where film meets music, he reckons you can put any music to any film and it will work. Barber’s Adagio with trench...