There is a sense of family mixed with nostalgia when Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s former Chief Conductor David Robertson makes his latest return to the Sydney Opera House’s Concert Hall stage for a trio of concerts.

With him is his brother-in-law, violin maestro Gil Shaham, who is here to perform the Beethoven concerto, while the second work on the bill, Carl Nielsen’s Symphony No. 4, The Inextinguishable, is the piece that Robertson led for his first-ever SSO appearance way back in 2003. 

Other than that performance, this massive and powerful work has only been performed once by the SSO – in 2019 to mark the retirement of the late Paul Goodchild as Principal Trumpet.

Gil Shaham, David Robertson and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Photo © Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Although it is one of the most harrowing of war symphonies, up there with Shostakovich’s Eighth, this is nevertheless a joyful homecoming for the American conductor, who imbues all his appearances with dazzling energy and enthusiasm – a contagious feeling that infects players and listeners alike.

It is also a welcome return for Grammy Award-winning Shaham, last here 11 years ago performing concertos by JS...