From Elgar to didgeridoo: the Melbourne Symphony play the Elphi

William Barton and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

Jaime Martín conducts the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in the Elbphilharmonie

By Mengguang Huang, 29 August 2025

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“the performance’s strength lay in contrasts: each episode emerged with clear character”

Reviewed at Elbphilharmonie: Grand Hall, Hamburg on 28 August 2025

Elgar, In the South (Alassio) - Concert Overture for orchestra, Op.50

Cheetham Fraillon, Treaty

Barton, Kalkadungu Yurdu

Mussorgsky, Pictures at an Exhibition

Glinka, Ruslan and Lyudmila: Overture

Grainger, Irish Tune from County Derry "Londonderry Air"

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

William Barton, Didgeridoo

Jaime Martín, Conductor

Protests disrupt the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra's Proms appearance

Dominic Lowe, 29th August

Despite the disruption, the musicians of the MSO under Chief Conductor Jaime Martín continue their interesting programme of Sutherland, Dvořák and Tchaikovsky.

***11

Sir Andrew Davis leads Elgar’s Gerontius in Melbourne

Patricia Maunder, 8th March

The double choir triumphs in the MSO’s massive, mostly successful attack on an English choral masterpiece all too rarely performed in Australia.

***11

Soloists and orchestra shine in MSO Opening Gala

Nicholas Young, 3rd March

A celebration of composer, soloist and orchestral excellence in an eclectic, if slightly eccentric, gala opening program to launch the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra's 2018 season.

****1

Bartók and Shostakovich with power and precision in Melbourne

Nicholas Young, 10th August

Pitch-perfect Bartók by Ibragimova and a boldly expansive reading of Shostakovich's Fifth by Hrůša made for an insightful evening's reflection on musical early modernity.

****1

Fraternity and frivolity: from Bizet to Elgar in Melbourne

Nicholas Young, 28th July

Under Benjamin Northey's baton and Kristian Chong's fingers, Bizet's Carmen Suite and Saint-Saëns' Second Piano Concerto dazzle, but it's Elgar's Sospiri and Enigma Variations that truly made the evening.

***11

A meeting of masterly musical minds

Nicholas Young, 15th July

Egarr, Bezuidenhout and the MSO are the perfect match in this celebration of Mozart's wit and genius, delivering historically grounded and exhilarating interpretations of treasured favourites.

****1

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Mengguang Huang

Mengguang Huang is a Hamburg-based project manager in the construction industry. With a strong passion for classical music, he was introduced to the world of early music during his time in the UK, where he developed a particular fondness for renaissance and Baroque vocal music. Driven by his love for this genre, he now makes it a priority to attend major Baroque opera productions and concerts across Western Europe whenever possible, continuing to deepen his appreciation for this rich musical tradition.

From Elgar to didgeridoo, the Melbourne Symphony play the Elbphilharmonie