Thirty years ago, when I was editing the arts pages for Vogue Australia, a publicist rang to ask if I would like to go and meet an exciting, handsome young harpsichord player who had recently returned from Europe and was about to launch a new baroque orchestra in Sydney. It seemed a pretty audacious plan at the time. Intrigued, I agreed to go and meet him.

And so it was that I found myself interviewing Paul Dyer in the attractive house he was living in at the time in Watsons Bay, where he had a beautiful harpsichord in the living room, I seem to recall. With characteristic enthusiasm he explained his plans for the period instrument ensemble he had decided to call the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra. Few imagined then it would become such a beloved part of the Australian music landscape. In 2019, the group celebrates its 30th anniversary. Harriet...