Each conductor has a choice to make when it comes to Bruckner’s Eighth. To go with the longer 1887 original, warts and all, or plump for the shorter, more richly upholstered and popular 1890 revision?

Sydney Symphony Orchestra Chief Conductor Simone Young is firmly in the 1887 camp – as witness her wonderful 2009 recording with Philharmoniker Hamburg – and this was the version she presented for this concert which welcomed back American-German violinist Augustin Hadelich for a memorable performance of Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor.

The 40-year-old Hadelich made his Australian debut two years ago with the SSO playing the Brahms Violin Concerto. Born in Italy of German parents and raised on a winery, Hadelich suffered dreadful burns to his face, abdomen and bowing arm at the age of 15 in a fire on the farm, and for some time his career was in doubt.

After his recovery he took out several prizes and awards, and his recordings have earned him a Grammy and other top accolades. Young describes his playing as “beyond virtuosic”, which says it all.

Augustin Hadelich and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Photo supplied

His reading...