The packed QPAC Concert Hall was buzzing at the first Maestro concert of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s 2022 season with Soaring Heights. The Queensland Symphony Orchestra had big boots to fill after its incredible 75th birthday celebration opening concert last week. Principal Clarinet Irit Silver must have been suffering from déjà vu when she introduced the evening concert, noting that her first appearance with the QSO 13 years ago had been with Johannes Fritzsch conducting Strauss’ An Alpine Symphony. She also warned the audience to watch out for the cows in the second half!

Daniel de Borah and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra at the Soaring Heights concert. Photo © Peter Wallis

Before we hiked to see the alpine cows, the concert opened with Brahms’ Piano Concerto No 2 Op. 83, delivering moments of Brahmsian brilliance. Daniel de Borah is the Head of Chamber Music at the Queensland Conservatorium and a much-coveted Australian pianist. He has performed across four continents as a concerto soloist and is also a considerable chamber musician and a co-founding member of Brisbane’s esteemed chamber orchestra Ensemble Q. He wowed the audience with his virtuosic emotive...