11th March, 2015
Royal Festival Hall, London, United Kingdom
ELGAR Introduction and Allegro
IRELAND Piano Concerto
WALTON Symphony No. 1
Piers Lane (piano)
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Andrew Manze (conductor)
Early music specialist Andrew Manze made his LPO debut with a curious programme. The Elgar "Introduction and Allegro" for string quartet and string orchestra was a very pleasant surprise, played with such clinical classical grace that sounded totally un-Elgar. It was followed by a sensitive, pristine and perpetually colourful performance of the evocative but rarely performed John Ireland "Piano Concerto" played by Piers Lane. It was BREATHTAKING. The joyful first half was complimented by the fiery emotional rollercoaster that was Walton's "Symphony No. 1". The brass players must have hated Walton, for the non-stop blasts, but what sensational performance overall. The sumptuous closing moments sent chills down my spine. A very thoroughly successful debut of Andrew Manze. We should hear more from him. It was a shame the hall was only half full, but that meant I got full impact of the music even though I sat at the very back of RFH.
This entry was originally published in my private Instagram account.
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