The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s Great British Symphonic Showpieces was a major platform for the Melbourne Conservatorium’s new maestro, the British conductor Richard Davis, who arrived in early February. For his second concert here, he chose an all-British programme comprising the Four Sea Interludes from Britten’s opera Peter Grimes, Elgar’s Enigma Variations and Holst’s The Planets.

Now, 95 undiluted minutes of Britmus, it must be said, is a taxing stretch for any orchestra, especially the 90 or so young players who crammed the stage of Murdoch Hall almost to overflow. Taxing also for listeners who may feel that the days of English cultural dominance are not yet behind us.

Instead, this listener found himself swept along with the sheer vigour and colour of the performances. The Britten began tentatively, with those angular waves of exposed high violin lines reflecting the waves engrained in the Hoop Pine wood of the walls of this classic shoe-box hall. (The Grainger connections were soon apparent; his Free Music was inspired by the waves lapping on the shores of Albert Lake, barely two kilometres from the Recital Hall.)

Indeed, throughout the entire concert, the middle and lower registers appeared to dominate: at times, the violins...