Presented by Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
Reviewed 18th April 2026
Concert 2 of the ASO’s 2026 Symphony Series has the ever-popular Rachmaninov at its heart. Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27 was written after a depressive period in Sergei Rachmaninov’s life, due in part to the disastrous premiere of his first symphony.
In the Quiet is an interesting title for this program, as the three pieces are all busy, noisy, rumbunctious works. Copland’s Quiet City is the opener. A glorious ten-minute piece which was originally composed as incidental music for a play, we hear a city at night from the perspective of a lonely person wandering its streets. This work segues wonderfully into the premiere of a new work commissioned by the ASO, from award-winning jazz composer Joe Chindamo. Concerto del Motore similarly takes us into the thoughts of a character, and picks up on themes hinted at in the Copland piece (deliberately or not, it worked a treat!). Clarinettist Dean Newcomb took centre stage for this piece, delivering his usual faultless performance. Chindamo himself was present and received a much deserved standing ovation.
Post-interval, the central symphony filled the town hall with sweeping emotion, and the lilting melodies for which Rachmaninov is renowned. Yet here were also moments of unexpected edginess and complexity: not quite atonal, but some moments of clashing sounds pushing back against the tide of sometimes overwhelming sweetness.
Conductor Stephanie Childress is a joy to watch, and an outstanding doula for this music, having conducted the Rachmaninov at her Juilliard debut. The orchestra appeared to be having a blast under her baton. Sharing music with artists who clearly have a real passion for the work is an act of profane communion, and something which the ASO continually delivers.
Once again the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra has curated a program which works as a whole. And it must surely be reassuring that the newer works, including those specifically commissioned for the orchestra, are received so appreciatively. Without the new, whether composers, musicians, or conductors, the art form will die. The ASO is keeping it all alive and kicking!
Reviewed by Tracey Korsten
Photo credit: Carmen Alcedo
Venue: Adelaide Town Hall
Season: 17-18 April
Duration: 2 hr 15 min
