As an encore, music by Percy Grainger (1882-1961), born in Australia, died in America, and who did much travelling in between. He was based in London between 1901 and 1914, so his Handel in the Strand was appropriate, and was introduced with the conductor’s customary comic timing: Sir Andrew delayed his announcement and then simply said the composer’s name. Even allowing that Grainger sometimes made different versions of his pieces, this one (unlike the joyous piano-and-strings adaptation) didn’t sound idiomatic (possibly then the work of another hand), being brassy and concerto-for-orchestra-like; a fine showpiece for the MSO if swamping the essential simplicity and easygoing nature of the music. The Melbourne musicians may not have waltzed with Matilda, or tied-down any kangaroos (which is dashed unsporting anyway), but unlike Charlie Drake’s boomerang the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra will hopefully return to the UK, for it made many friends here through its collective gut-honesty and hard-working resolve.