The Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra was a well thought-out program, spanning 100 years between 1918 when Janáček’s Rhapsody for orchestra Taras Bulba was completed and 2018 when Steve Reich wrote his Music for Ensemble and Orchestra.

David Robertson and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Photo © Christie Brewster

The performance of Janáček’s three-movement work blended the sonorities of the pipe organ and the orchestra perfectly, which is a compliment to the orchestral tuning. This varied work is based on three grisly episodes from the life of the military hero of Gogol’s story. It contains many memorable moments, particularly a graphic depiction of an execution using the high-pitched shriek of the clarinet (chillingly done). It begins, however, with a beautiful, lyrical theme from the oboe. With Diana Doherty starting the piece off, what could go wrong? Janáček’s mosaic structure, full of motivic repetitions, suits the athletic, clean conducting style of David Robertson, who deftly created an integrated whole from the composer’s contrasting ‘blocks’ of music.

It was telling to follow Janáček’s trademark repetitions with a piece by one of the American minimalists. Commissioned by several orchestras including...