In a long solo introduction, didgeridoo player Mark Atkins created a spectacular soundscape of multi-layered echoes of the earth and bush – animals, birds wind, fire – with a relentless, driving underlying rhythm. His mastery of the instrument was astonishing – I had never experienced such evocative playing.

When the orchestra joined in, the didgeridoo still dominated, but there was much give and take, creating a strong bond of indigenous and non-indigenous music and culture in the composer’s intended spirit of reconciliation.

The giant musical leap that was needed to get from “Earth Cry” to Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante K364 was successful. On the whole, the performance was somewhat subdued, but soloists Ji Won Kim (violin) and Roger Benedict (viola) gave thoughtful and beautifully integrated interpretations. The lyrical middle movement was the highlight of the piece with sensitive, closely woven manoeuvres between the soloists and between them and the orchestra.

The concert concluded with a sparkling performance of Gustav Holst’s “The Planets”, with conductor Nicholas Milton at his exuberant best. It is a work filled with dramatic contrasts and dynamic moods, taking us from war to peace, jollity to mysticism and even old age.

The orchestra’s brilliant playing was tight, exciting and assertive. The sustained applause at the end spoke volumes of our orchestra’s pre-eminent place in Canberra’s music scene.