The Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra’s latest tour is branded “New Perspectives” with the idea that the two works on the program brought the outside social music of serenades or divertimento into the salon and, later, the concert hall where people sat and actually listened.

The other common thread is that the stripped-back ensemble is featuring two pieces that helped establish their composers with the wider public. Beethoven’s Septet was a hit for the 29-year-old that ended up dogging him for decades. Louise Farrenc’s Nonet attested that here was a woman to be taken seriously, and helped her win her campaign for equal pay at the Paris Conservatoire where she was a professor for 30 years.

Although the printed program had the Beethoven as the opener, the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra musicians, under guest leader US violinist Jenna Sherry, reversed the running order. Farrenc’s four-movement work was influenced by the popular Septet, however it is much more symphonic in its approach. Scored for violin, viola, cello, double bass, horn, clarinet, oboe and flute, it shows off Farrenc’s talent for orchestration which was admired by Hector Berlioz among others.