Goethe supposedly said, “Whatever you can dream you can begin. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”

There’s a knack to curating inspirational programs and Brendan Joyce, Artistic Director of Camerata, certainly dreams large. In this concert Joyce paired jazz with classical music. This combination has been trialled many times across the western world and it is tricky to pull off.

Paul Grabowsky and Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra. Photo © Alex Jamieson

Cleverly, the program was bookended by J.S. Bach’s enduringly popular Air from Orchestral Suite in D Major, BWV 1068, which showcased jazz pianist Paul Grabowsky’s freewheeling on the keys.

Next came Ravel’s String Quartet in F, lovingly reimagined for string orchestra by Gail Aitken, a former member of the ensemble. This reading highlighted Camerata’s penchant for gorgeous tone, precision and the ensemble’s capacity for casting beautiful phrases. This was a richly detailed, airy, unhurried rendering.

All voices were fully explored and framed by a yielding rhythmical approach. The energised plucked pizzicato strings in Assez Vif were infectiously rhythmical. Camerata scaled the improvisatory feel in Tres Lent easefully and in Vif et Agite, Aitken’s densely orchestrated version was blessed by...