Programming a concert under the evocative title of Winter Gala is couched in somewhat sodden expectations. It’s a name that invites anticipation of sleigh bells, frothy strings, and jubilant brass – all of the chintzy oom-pah-pah frivolity of Hallmark Christmas cards and children’s films laced with Nordic stereotypes.

Fortunately, MSO Chief Conductor Jaime Martín respects the audience enough to give the people what they want while also proffering some tantalising subversions. Headlined by the biblical Carmina Burana, Saturday night’s Winter Gala at Hamer Hall saw performances of Strauss’s adventurous Don Juan and Australian composer Peter Sculthorpe’s 1986 work Earth Cry, a harmony of Aboriginal song stories and Western philharmonic voice.

Jaime Martín conducts the MSO Winter Gala 2024. Photo © Laura Manariti

Martín’s appearance onstage was efficient and energetic, for a work that was keenly in-tune with his style of conducting. The tight, boisterous energy of Don Juan reflected the strong, clear motions of Martín’s curled wrists. It proved to be an exceptional concert-opener, presenting a glorious sense of flight and journey within its dense, quivering bed of strings and forceful, eager brass.

Martín demonstrated a wide range of command here, shaping...