Australian composer Georgia Scott’s Cabinet of Curiosities began evocatively with hushed strings, harp and percussion. This was the first movement, The Alchemical Handbell – Summoner of Spirits, from her three-movement piece Cabinet of Curiosities, receiving a world première performance by the TSO.

The work was imaginatively conceived and beautifully orchestrated, with a second section – The Enchantress from the Deep – lyrically beguiling, leading to the fanfare laden final section, The Machine of Perpetual Motion.

Clara-Jumi Kang. Photo supplied

Renowned German/Korean violinist Clara-Jumi Kang made her debut with the TSO. Drawing beautiful sounds from her 1702 Thunis Stradivarius violin, she gave a vibrantly intense performance of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D, Op. 35. The approach was direct yet sensitive and her technique throughout was marvellously secure and commanding.

Eivind Aadland proved once again to be a responsive accompanist and the TSO delivered quality playing in support. Kang’s phrasing in the slow movement was eloquently refined while the powerhouse articulation and accuracy in the finale was phenomenal. The encore was J. S. Bach’s Largo from Violin Sonata No. 3 in C.

Orchestra and conductor were also in splendid form for what is arguably Dvorak’s...