Music / From the Heavens, Canberra Mandolin Orchestra and Canberra Recorder Orchestra. At All Saints Anglican Church, Ainslie, September 29. Reviewed by ROB KENNEDY.

The Canberra Mandolin Orchestra and Canberra Recorder Orchestra applied their most unique sound to the music of baroque and classical composers in a concert collaboration under the direction of both Michael Hardy from the CMO and Margaret Wright of the CRO.

With just the CMO, the concert began with François-Adrien Boieldieu’s Overture to the Caliph of Baghdad, which is a comic opera first performed in 1800. It was arranged for mandolin orchestra and flute, which was played by John Smiles. What sounded like a simple piece of music, had a clever little tune that turned into a lovely and welcoming opening.

Next the Sinfonia in G Major by little known Italian composer Vito Ugolino. In three movements, filled with singable tunes, the various sizes of mandolins in the orchestra brought out the harmonies and melodies nicely.

The slow movement sounded like an Italian love song. Images of gondolas and sunsets came to mind. The final movement, danceable and joyous wrapped up a bright baroque find.

Mozart’s, Non Pui Andrai from his Marriage of Figaro followed. This entertaining piece for only the CRO created a unique sound. The contrast between the two groups could barely be compared, other than to say, with the different types of recorders in the orchestra, similarities could be heard in the harmonic equivalent between the two orchestras.

A Welsh Lullaby by Morfydd Llwyn Owen titled, Suo Gan, followed. Embedded with the beautiful sound of Welsh choirs, the singing quality of this work came through. Plaintive, folk-like and mellow, the tune flowed.

Then Handel’s Music for Royal Fireworks. Just five movements came before the two orchestras got together. From the mellow to the jubilant, this music that celebrated the end of the War of Austrian Succession in 1788 sounded out strongly.

With the notoriously tricky composer, Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber, both orchestras performed his Sonata pro Tabula. With the addition of an electronic harpsichord, played by Bronwyn Roberts, this challenging music crossed from orchestra to orchestra before both came together. Quite stately, it had a depth that showed how great a composer Biber was.

The final work, The Heavens are Telling, by Haydn, from his Oratorio The Creation, wound up this entertaining concert. This chorus, bright and forthright proved that these two diverse sound qualities can work together.

These community orchestras did what they do best, they brought together a large audience to experience the joy of making music that enhances communal spirit.