The first two items here were inspired by complementary Australian and English pastoral scenes. Peter Sculthorpe’s Pastorale is an early piece from 1949 – brief, tender and flowing in its evocation of a bush landscape.

Ralph Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending received from TSO concertmaster Emma McGrath the purest toned and rapturous performance I can recall.

There was a veiled but at the same time beautifully focussed and intense quality to her playing with a truly breathtaking stillness and refined control of pitch at the conclusion. Northey and the orchestra accompanied with warmth and finely balanced ensemble.

Emma McGrath and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. Photo supplied

As a complete, and for some, jarring contrast, Paul Stanhope’s Fantasia on a Theme of Vaughan Williams opened with incredible force and volume in its initial massive brass and percussion sonorities. This highly effective and constantly evolving work was composed in 2010, presenting considerable technical and balance challenges with its varying textures and rhythms.

The orchestra and conductor responded with powerfully cohesive and richly coloured results. Highlights included muted brass sections, a central jazz interlude, and wonderful percussive effects. The composer was on hand to take a...