Media

“a powerhouse of musical dynamism…the AWO, both individually and collectively, brought worldclass musicianship to a generous and demanding program. It is surely a musical outfit of which we can all be proud.”

★★★★★ The Age, Concert Review by Tony Way 21/08/2026

“The Adagietto – Mahler’s best-known nine minutes – was exquisite, the tempo and string tone just right accompanied by harpist Alice Giles, and the joyful emergence into the sunlight of the final bars of the Rondo lifted the roof off, bringing the audience to its feet like a rippling Mexican wave around the auditorium”

★★★★★ Limelight, Concert Review by Steve Moffatt 06/09/25

“Mahler is the absolute master of orchestral colour, and in this performance of the 5th there were colours I thought I’d never heard before. ”

East Side FM, Concert Review by Paul Neeson 05/09/25

“…the AWO brought appealing lustre and engaging clarity to its playing throughout. Attention to details of balance, dynamics and articulation was well projected in a hall where these elements can sometimes be submerged.”

★★★★★ The Age, Concert Review by Tony Way 04/09/25

“By the close of the performance, the Concert Hall gave a full standing ovation with many curtain calls… Faces were aching, lips were dry from being stuck to the teeth after smiling too long. Makeup was washed away by shed tears from the most beautiful moments. Spines were tingling from the music-gasms. It was truly a magical night and one that will be remembered for a long time to come.”

★★★★★ Sydney Arts Guide, Concert Review by Annabelle Drumm 05/09/25

“Last night’s performance, however, operated on the most grandiose scale of anything I have seen of the German grandmaster’s work…the only feasible way to describe ‘Mahlerfest’ is as purely experiential.”

scenestr, Concert Review by Liam Heitmann-Ryce-LeMercier 04/09/25

“…Andrew Bain’s fearless horn playing crowned the consistently colourful playing in the central scherzo. Plush string tone made the celebrated adagietto a heartfelt reverie, before the orchestra, enthusiastically led by co-concertmaster Daniel Dodds, embarked on the triumphant finale.”

Sydney Morning Herald★★★★★, Concert Review by Tony Way 04/09/25

“Crouching like a boxer and swaying before launching into the line, Scholl’s dramatic flair came to the fore…”

Limelight, Concert Review by Steve Moffatt 26/10/24

“… a discerningly balanced ensemble of rich timbral variety and high professionalism.”

Sydney Morning Herald, Concert Review by Peter McCallum 25/10/24

“Alexander Briger and the Australian World Orchestra complete their galactic mission with precision, verve and gusto”

Limelight, Concert Review by Steve Moffatt 25/11/23

“…the AWO strings created
wonderfully rich sound of
energised intensity, to which the woodwind responded with clear textures like shafts of soft light…”

Sydney Morning Herald, Concert Review by Peter McCallum 25/11/23

“…a life-affirming encounter that recalled the landmark Melbourne performance of this work by the Chicago Symphony under Georg Solti…”

The Age, Concert Review by Tony Way 22/11/23

“…a mystical combination of telepathy, instinct and love…”

Australian Book Review, Concert Review by Michael Shmith 5/9/22

“There is always a particular kind of unstoppable energy…released explosively in one sardonic wink.”

Sydney Morning Herald, Concert Review by Peter McCallum 5/9/22

“In a musical sense, this was a team of champions…”

JWire, Concert Review by Fraser Beath McEwing 4/9/22