In the marketing material for this concert, we were promised a performance “full of life” that would “thrill and transport” us, and the SSO comes through with brightly flying colours.

The program, under MSO Chief Conductor Jaime Martín, transports us well and truly to Spain – or at least to late 19th/early-20th century Spain. As for thrills, two of the four selections have a built-in applause magnet in their final bars: Falla’s The Three Cornered Hat and Ravel’s Boléro.

The two works in the first part of the program began as piano pieces. Alborada del gracioso (Morning Song of the Jester) is one of the movements of Ravel’s piano suite Miroirs. From experience I can tell you what a technical nightmare it is!

Eva Gevorgyan performs with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in Falla & Ravel. Photo © Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Ravel was arguably the master orchestrator of his time, and I prefer to hear Alborada del gracioso in its orchestral version. Martín keeps the faster sections light on their feet, but draws out the central serenade section, more so than in any performance I’ve heard. The solo bassoon copes admirably, playing...