The final concert of the Sydney Symphony Fellowship’s chamber season is a celebration of a year of mentorship and friendship, presented to a full house at Christ Church St Laurence. 

Opening with a vibrant performance of Witold Lutosławski’s folkish Dance Preludes, the evening is a nonet fiesta, with three of the program’s works performed by an ensemble of wind quintet, violin, viola, cello and bass. It is an ensemble format ripe with colour, and after a year of performing together, the players perform with a nuanced sense of connection and communication.

Jiří Jaroch’s Children’s Suite is the most effective of this set of nonets, as the ensemble relaxes into the resonance of the space. Sparkling articulations from Dana Alison (flute) and guest artist Marcus Michelsen (violin) inflect the work with a childlike playfulness. The second movement, a lullaby, features tender moments from a sensitive and unified woodwind section. 

Farewelling our Fellows, Christ Church St Lawrence. Photo © Cassandra Hannagan

This is preceded by a short trumpet sonata by Purcell, featuring Isabella Thomas (trumpet) and guest artist Simon Nieminski (organ). The work is deeply effective in the cathedral space, although it...