My colleagues, Rosemary Collier and Peter Mechen, have reviewed earlier concerts by Camerata – in May 2015 and November 2016. I’m sorry to have missed them. They included Haydn’s first and third symphonies; I wondered whether we’d missed a concert that had included the second symphony. It also made me wonder, with considerable anticipation, whether they plan to survive long enough to get through all 104 (or is it 108?)... read more

Auckland-based Ensemble Paladino's intentions, as stated in an introductory note to this concert, were "to present uncompromising, diverse and fearless chamber music on the highest level", an exciting and challenging statement of intent which, to my ears was fulfilled most expertly and mellifluously at Lower Hutt's Little Theatre on Friday evening. It was interesting that, with the ensemble's sound still resounding in my ears, I unexpectedly found myself comparing... read more