Two of Grieg’s Lyric Pieces, Op. 68 No. 4 and No. 5, provided a charming opening to the penultimate TSO concert for 2023 (a performance of Handel’s Messiah will conclude the season 9 December). They are titled Evening in the Mountains and At the Cradle, respectively, with the first piece featuring a lovely solo from TSO Principal Oboe Sarah Young.

Ji Won Kim. Photo supplied

Recently appointed TSO Associate Concertmaster Ji Won Kim undertook the headlining performance of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 at short notice to replace original soloist Grace Clifford. It proved a stunningly successful concerto debut with the orchestra.

This was a beautifully conceived and well-shaped rendition of this masterpiece – strong, pure toned and expressive. The playing was consistently spontaneous sounding with a tender poignant slow movement and light sparkling finale that even more so than usual reflected the composer’s mastery in his ‘fairy music’ mode. Orchestra and conductor, as is essential in this work, were at one with the soloist. The encore from J. S. Bach’s Sonata No. 3 in C was a welcome bonus.

Sydney-based composer Holly Harrison has worked closely with...