Nothing but Haydn: the OAE deliver with panache

Matthew Truscott directs the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

Matthew Truscott, Alexandra Bellamy, Jonathan Manson and Jane Gower

By Alexander Hall, 26 October 2023

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“string lines that seared themselves into consciousness like branding irons”

Reviewed at Queen Elizabeth Hall, London on 25 October 2023

Haydn, The Creation (Die Schöpfung): Prelude, Representation of Chaos Hob XXI:2

Haydn, Symphony no. 51 in B flat major

Haydn, Sinfonia Concertante in B flat major for oboe, bassoon, violin and cello, Hob I:105

Haydn, Symphony no. 1 in D major

Haydn, Symphony no. 104 in D major "London"

Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

Matthew Truscott, Leader, Director

Jonathan Manson, Cello

Alexandra Bellamy, Oboe

Jane Gower, Bassoon

Immersive OAE submerged at Southbank’s Multitudes festival

Mark Valencia, 22nd April

The road to immersion is paved with modish deflections as the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment performs 20th-century English string music.

**111

Mixed Mozart from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

Dominic Lowe, 26th February

A Mozart's of symphonies – his last – under conductor Robin Ticciati is capped with a fine Jupiter, but is let down by the performances of its two predecessors.

***11

John Butt and the OAE celebrate Handel's Solomon

Roy Westbrook, 12th October

The Queen of Sheba is clearly in a hurry in this account of Handel's oratorio at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.

*****

Enescu Festival immersion: Bach on the street, Klimt in the forest

Peter Quantrill, 11th September

At the George Enescu International Festival, a pair of new shows crossing genres and reinventing the classics, with mostly enlightening results.

****1

Brandstrup Breaking Bach with the OAE at EIF

Kathy Elgin, 20th August

Kim Brandstrup choreographs Bach favourites based on hip hop and street dance. Lie back on the bean bags at Usher Hall and enjoy...

****1

A strong new Figaro opens at Glyndebourne

Dominic Lowe, 29th June

Mariame Clément is a popular director at Glyndebourne, and her new production of Figaro shows her trademark approach to hardhitting comedy.

****1

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Alexander Hall

Alexander Hall divides his time between London and Hamburg, where he had a career in academic administration and teaching. He reviews for Bachtrack and Opera Today, and has also reviewed for Classical Source. A connoisseur of the great orchestras of the world, his musical memories stretch back to Karajan/Berlin Phil, Mravinsky/Leningrad Phil, Bernstein/Vienna Phil, and he has seen most of the great conductors from the past, including Böhm, Klemperer, Kubelik, Ormandy and Szell.

Nothing but Haydn: the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment deliver with panache