Despite Ed Sheeran’s concert at Suncorp Stadium and the subsequent heavy traffic, Camerata supporters were out in force. One of Camerata’s significant achievements is the development of a loyal and supportive following.

Camerata’s artistic director, Brendan Joyce, through his astute curatorship, unleashed a wild ride through vibrant, different, unexpected landscapes. The program ranged from Johannes Brahms’s mannered and lush Sextet in G Major, Op. 36, No. 2, arranged for string orchestra by Kurt Atterberg, to Carl Vine’s thrilling Smith’s Alchemy.

Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra. Photo © Alex Jamieson

Versatility has always been a trademark of this popular ensemble. Typically, each work received a sincere and attentive interpretation. The Brahms wasn’t such a popular choice, judging from the audience’s comments afterwards, but no one could argue with the control, balance, direction, glassy tone and exquisitely phrased performance.

The first movement began with an easily gliding viola figure, revealing Thomas Chawner’s distinctive sound.

Hearing about the composer Ethel Smyth from viola player Sophie Ellis was almost as rewarding as listening to her Scherzo from Suite for Strings, Op. 1a. Apparently, as a...