A very enthusiastic audience packed QPAC Concert Hall for Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s last major concert for 2022 under the baton of Principal Conductor Johannes Fritsch. There was a palpable energy and air of excitement in the room that seemed to be largely thanks to Section Principal Double Bassist, Phoebe Russell’s fan club ahead of her performance as soloist in Queensland composer Paul Dean’s new Double Bass Concerto. This work, commissioned especially for Russell, was in the words of Co-Concertmaster, Warwick Adeney, “A celebration of the art of our Principal Double Bassist, Phoebe Russell; which is something well worth celebrating indeed.” Russell is a crowd-favourite, her dynamic performance style and compelling stage presence captivating audiences, and clearly winning over her fellow performers as well.

Phoebe Russell performs the world premiere of Paul Dean’s Double Bass Concerto, commissioned by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Photo supplied

In addition to the world premiere of former QSO clarinettist Dean’s work, the program also featured the state premiere of another living Australian composer, Andrew Howes. Together these two comprised the first half followed by the marathon hour-long unabridged Second Symphony of the great Russian composer, Sergei...