Australian Brandenburg Orchestra AD Paul Dyer has a knack for delivering a great guest, and although Dmitry Sinkovsky was to some extent a known quantity having played here in 2014, it was a welcome opportunity for Aussie audiences to reconnect with one of the finest baroque violin virtuosi on the circuit. A smartly chosen programme also pitched big hitters of the period against some intriguing discoveries, hence there was much to hold the attention.

Ever heard of Jacques Aubert (1689-1753)? I hadn’t, but on the basis of the Ciaccona from his Concerto for Four Violins in D he would be well worth artists and recording companies seeking out. A real charmer of a piece – Handelian of melody but with a sprinkling of Lullian rhythmic grace – it received a lively, curtain-opening performance from the orchestra. The pleasure was somewhat alloyed, however, by an insecurity of intonation that bedevilled the ABO violins when required to take the lead in a number of (admittedly very tricky) pieces throughout the evening.

Fortunately matters calmed down as soon as Sinkovsky took the stage. With his Byronic locks needing to be decorously moved to avoid snaring them under his chin rest, he proved a true...