For decades, Richard Tognetti has been the guiding force at the helm of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, galvanising audiences with bold interpretations and a fearless approach to programming.

This July, however, audiences will see – and hear – him differently. Trading the concert hall for the grand-yet- intimate surrounds of two sacred spaces and a town hall, Tognetti is about to undertake a rare recital series outside of the ACO, performing with pianist Konstantin Shamray in the latest immersive offering from Live at Yours.

The performances are hosted in Sydney’s Great Synagogue (July 1 & 2), in Melbourne’s Toorak Synagogue (July 3), and in Castlemaine’s Town Hall (July 4) and they promise an experience outside of the conventional.

Richard Tognetti. Photo supplied

Tognetti is aware of how unconventional it seems. “I know they advertise me as a maverick,” he says, wryly, “but this doesn’t really look like a maverick program. Actually, me playing German High Romantic music and early Romantic music and Baroque music in a recital… that probably is ‘maverick’ – for me.”

The program, which includes Brahms’ Violin Sonata in G major,...