The Australian Haydn Ensemble playing as a quartet is a reliably tight operation, and in this concert the title work – Haydn’s Symphony No. 96 in D Major, Miracle, premiered in 1791 – is predictably the highlight. 

Arranged for chamber ensemble by the impresario of Haydn’s 12 London Symphonies, Johann Salomon, the strings are joined by Mikaela Oberg on flute for a warm, spirited and colourful rendition of this surprisingly innovative work.  

Australian Haydn Ensemble: Haydn’s Miracle, at The Neilson, Sydney. Photo © Oliver Miller

Full symphonies written for orchestras of 60 players don’t always pare down well to salon versions, but some of Haydn’s convert particularly well. As adaptability and flexibility were particular keys to Haydn’s wild popularity and success as a composer during his long lifetime, this was surely intentional.  

Still, the Salomon adaptation creates a full sound and texture that you would swear five players should not be able to create on their own. This is done by ensuring the group is playing energetically in full ensemble most of the time, with the dynamic not going lower than mezzo-piano, giving...