Queensland-based mixed band Ensemble Q’s co-artistic director Paul Dean admitted on Monday night to being rather pleased on account of the Brisbane Lions vanquishing the Sydney Swans two days before.

But he and the rest of us had something far greater to be pleased about: the fact that composer and didgeridoo virtuoso William Barton’s Journey to the Edge of the Horizon was about to receive its world premiere.

And that to get there, we’d be going via György Ligeti’s Six Bagatelles for Wind Quintet, Dean’s own Concerto for Cello and Wind Quintet, and Brahms’ Cello Sonata No. 1 in E minor, Op. 38 as arranged by Heribert Breuer for wind ensemble, cello, and double bass.

Ensemble Q at Perth Concert Hall. Photo © Tony McDonough

Ligeti’s Six Bagatelles reflect his Hungarian roots while hinting at the avant-garde vibe he’d become more famous for. The six movements traverse a spectrum of emotions – from the spirited “Allegro con spirito” to the sombre “Adagio. Mesto,” dedicated to Béla Bartók.

Ensemble Q’s winds – Alison Mitchell (flute), Huw Jones (oboe), Paul Dean (clarinet), David Mitchell (bassoon), and Peter Luff (horn) – appeared to be having a...