“New music is always a bit scary,” said Canberra-based composer, teacher, recording artist, and jazz musician, Michael Dooley, as he addressed a large audience in the pre-concert talk to the world premiere of his Piano Concerto No 1 in C Sharp Minor.  But he was talking about the atonal music of the avant-garde period, a form of dissonant “angular” and unresolved music, which did not resonate with him when studying composition at the Sydney Conservatorium. In Dooley’s assessment, Bach’s music, with which he was obsessed, always resolved, offering hope. “The reason,” remarked his teacher, “was that Bach had God; we don’t have God anymore.”

Andrew Rumsey performing with the National Capital Orchestra. Photograph © Peter Hislop

Dooley’s piece is anything but atonal. A deeply personal piece, it is full of charming melodies and rich harmonies reflecting his spiritual faith, commemorating his parents, and “getting on with life”.  The inspiration came from the divine concepts of truth and grace. “Truth,” he says, “is important, but it can be harsh and hurtful. Grace is forgiveness and working together to create something beautiful.”

For the first public outing of Dooley’s concerto, young-gun pianist, Andrew Rumsey, who already has...