Under the intelligent direction of violinist William Hennessy the MCO continue to present programs of great interest, drawing on established repertoire and lesser known works which delight and surprise.

At the Daylesford Anglican Church last weekend the performance of the MCO featured the inspired virtuosity that is its hallmark.

The two pieces OP.11 for String Octet of Shostakovich contained the typical quirky characteristics of his style, mixing dark colours with humour in equal amounts.

The communication between musicians kept the dialogue clear and balanced, particularly as the scherzo took flight.

The Octet Op.176 of Joachim Raff had a more formal structure and manner, highlighting the strong craftsmanship, with some limitations, of a composer lesser known today than in the 19th century.

The focal point of the concert was the Sextet Op.36 of Brahms, where the form and content work to become one of the great chamber compositions.

The MCO delivered a sublime performance, covering the full gamut of emotional content available from the subtle expectancy of the opening leading to exuberant heights of the finale.

The playful character of the scherzo was fully revealed while the colour and depth of the third movement provided the intense contrast within the satisfying journey.