I have a feeling that the SSO wanted its APT Master Series to finish the year on a high when it nudged its budget with a big orchestra, solo singers, a male chorus (on loan from the Australian Opera) and powered up the organ. Last night’s concert offered something for everybody, with works by Brahms, Bach and Bartok. Between them, the three Bees provided rich contrasts, even though they were all dispensing various forms of despair.
Wagner wrote a piece for his wife, Cosima. Bartok also wrote a piece for his wife, Ditta. Schoenberg, on the other hand, orchestrated a quartet already written by his hero, Brahms.
