Apart from Der Freischütz, Weber’s operas have failed to retain a place in the repertoire as a result of their clunky librettos, despite containing much wonderful music; his other compositions including symphonies and concertos are fine examples of early German Romanticism and are still widely performed.

His operatic overtures still feature in concert programs; his Oberon Overture is a lovely piece, here providing a Shakespearean link to the final work in this concert. Estonian conductor Olari Elts obtains sensitively shaped playing from the TSO with fine solo work from Greg Stephens (Principal Horn) and Andrew Seymour (Principal Clarinet).

Sylvia Jiang, Fletcher Cox, Olari Elts and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. Photo supplied

The Chinese-born New Zealand pianist Sylvia Jiang makes her Tasmanian debut teamed with TSO Principal Trumpet Fletcher Cox for Shostakovich’s Concerto for Piano, Trumpet and String Orchestra, Op. 35.

Composed in 1933 the concerto showcases a myriad of styles and contrasts, often racing from one idea to another; by turns witty, lyrical and sarcastic in the outer sections. Jiang encompasses all these elements with virtuosity and élan, including tenderness in the melancholic slow...