I don’t recall ever having received a sheet of instructions before seeing the orchestra. But then again, you get used to the unusual when you attend Dark Mofo.

The winter festival has evolved into a Tasmanian cultural landmark. Hosted by the Museum of Old and New Art in celebration of the solstice, Dark Mofo engulfs Hobart’s waterfront and surrounding buildings in a wave of red and black. Crucifixes adorn flags around the city and posters in shop windows; familiar heritage buildings are lit up like beacons in these icy nights. There are shows of sound and light in multiple venues, and musicians of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra presented one of the festival highlights: Silence. The show, masterfully curated by Rainer Jozeps, featured pianist Tamara-Anna Cislowska and a small ensemble of TSO string players led by concertmaster Emma McGrath.

^{The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and Tamara-Anna Cislowska in Silence at Dark Mofo. Photo © Moorilla Gallery}

I received my instructions in paper form before venturing into the Federation Concert Hall, wondering what pleasures awaited. Curiously, the note read: “Be prepared. Silence can be a challenge”. In an abstract homage...