Cairns-Gimuy is in a celebratory mood. There’s a buzz in the air. Not only is this tropical city celebrating its 150th anniversary, but it is also thrilled to host the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, arguably the nation’s most ambitious chamber music event.

Sam Wu, originally from Melbourne and now based in Los Angeles, is this year’s composer-in-residence. He penned a tribute to the festival’s new location, which premiered at this opening concert.

Scored for flute, clarinet, violin, viola, cello and piano, Forest, Ocean, City conjured a glistening rainforest in the wet season, cloying humidity, a gently breathing sea and urbanity’s darker voice. A pattering figure in the piano’s upper register, executed by Piers Lane, one of the AFCM’s former artistic directors, evoked droplets of rain.

This world premiere was a talking point and offered rewarding listening on an otherwise conservative yet crowd-pleasing program designed to introduce this year’s artists. The locals especially appreciated Wu’s impressionistic homage to their home.

Australian Festival of Chamber Music: Cairns Crescendo. Photo © Paul Furse

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