With a world premiere, a brand-new commissioned arrangement and a handful of accomplished Australian guest musicians, Melbourne Chamber Orchestra (MCO) has revealed its 2024 orchestral season.

In its 33rd year, the second under the creative direction of violinist Sophie Rowell, the orchestra explores the power of music as a tool for communication and connection across a wide range of genres, styles and contexts.

Violinist Meg Cohen. Photo supplied

The world premiere of Katy Abbott’s Glacial Thunder gives an explosive opening to the MCO’s first program of 2024, titled Music Speaks (20 February – 3 March). The work aptly explores the ways in which music can be a powerful communicator – a shared interest of both composer and artistic director.

MSO Principal Viola, Christopher Moore, joins Rowell as a soloist in his own arrangement of Mozart’s Sinfonia for string orchestra and a new string orchestra version of Dirrari Lamenta, Bunuba elder Molly Jalakbiya and Paul Stanhope‘s work about the grief of a black cockatoo over the loss of her...