Camerata Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra is known for its ability to present interesting and eclectic programming that both delights and challenges audiences.

Under the artistic direction of Brendan Joyce and to commence the 2023 season, Heartstrings offers the marvellous Serenade for Strings by Tchaikovsky, one of the major works for any string chamber orchestra and a personal favourite of Joyce.

Also tugging at his heartstrings, as he so aptly describes it in his program introduction, is Aaron Copland’s marvellous, quintessential American work, Appalachian Spring. Add to these two major works – two short pieces, new to both the orchestra and its audience – and we were served an enjoyable and stimulating program.

The concert commenced with Swiss composer Frank Martin’s Etudes for Strings. The second etude is a study to highlight the use of pizzicato, or the plucking technique employed by string players. It is unusual to see a whole piece dedicated just to this style of playing and Martin’s composition is a complex and somewhat quirky work with strange melodic sounds. The considerable concentration by the musicians for a meticulously played and  refreshing piece.