Australian Brandenburg Orchestra | Baroque Unleashed

26 June, 2025, Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre, VIC

So many notes, so much music. The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra presented an extravaganza of works from the best of the baroque: Corelli, Vivaldi, Albinoni, Pergolesi, and Locatelli. A fine bunch of fiery Italian composers, famous to this day for their ‘virtuosic skill and talent’ (to quote the program notes). 

There were so many stars on stage, starting of course with conductor, harpsichordist and beating heart of the orchestra, Paul Dyer, ably assisted by a wonderfully rich continuo section including theorbos, harp, and bassoon in addition to strings, which provided a blissful bedrock of sound which unpinned all the action.

All the home grown talent was of international standards. Shaun Lee-Chen could have been Pergolesi himself, his skill and artistry poured from his baroque violin during the B-flat major concerto, one of only two concerti we can be sure was written by the young man himself, and Vivaldi’s Grosso Mogul Concerto in D major, which was exhilarating to witness.

Adam Masters performed the Concerto for oboe in D minor (Op. 9 No. 2) by Albinoni and delivered operatic vibes, with the warm sound and lovely long notes providing a contrast to the sound of the strings. 

There were no slackers on stage, with orchestra parts in some works equalling the solo instruments. The duels between Shaun and Ben Dollman also on violin in Corelli’s Concerto Grosso in D major (Op. 6 No. 4) were spirited and Matthew Bruce led the orchestra with vigour when Shaun stepped into the solo roles. The orchestra was in top form. 

A revelation to me was Robert Nain’s incredible performance of Vivaldi’s Concerto for violone in C minor (RV 401). The violone is the largest member of the viol family, of double bass proportions, with many strings and frets. It’s not an instrument often cast as a soloist, but it has a rich sound and as Robert proved, can be just as nimble and expressive and its smaller relations.

There were fireworks aplenty and moments of great lyrical beauty across the program. What a great reminder of the incredible talent and calibre of musicians we have right here at home. Paul Dyer, thank you, you took the baroque and made it even better. 

Photo Credit: Nico Keenan