Andrew Manze excels in Sibelius and Mozart

Mahan Esfahani, Andrew Manze and the RLPO in rehearsal

By Leighton Jones, 25 March 2023

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Reviewed at Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool on 23 March 2023

Mozart, Symphony no. 31 in D major, "Paris”, K297 (K300a)

Bryars, Harpsichord Concerto (world premiere)

Sibelius, Symphony no. 1 in E minor, Op.39

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Andrew Manze, Conductor

Mahan Esfahani, Harpsichord

Dazzling Prokofiev from Alim Beisembayev and the RLPO

Peter Connors, 26th April

In an all-Russian programme in Liverpool, Alim Beisembayev gives a breathtaking performance of Prokofiev's fiendishly difficult Second Piano Concerto.

****1

Dependable Mozart and Mendelssohn from the RLPO

Glyn Mon Hughes, 16th April

Aurel Dawidziuk and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra explore darkness and light, although the drama does not always bringing the audience to the edge of its collective seat.

***11

Paul Lewis balances delicacy with power in understated RLPO Beethoven

Glyn Mon Hughes, 12th March

Understatement is key in Paul Lewis' interpretation of Beethoven's Third Piano Concerto with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic under Adam Hickox.

***11

Domingo Hindoyan's warm Bruckner 6 beguiles Liverpool

Peter Connors, 5th February

Schubert and Saint-Saëns provide an elegant first half before a change of tone and pace with Bruckner's Sixth Symphony.

****1

Sidorova mesmerises Liverpool with Tabakova’s Accordion Concerto

Glyn Mon Hughes, 22nd January

An unusual evening of orchestral virtuosity and an ear-opening adventure with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra under Andris Poga.

****1

Lozakovich, Foster and the RLPO: glorious Bruch and Tchaikovsky

Peter Connors, 4th December

Daniel Lozakovich captivated the audience in Liverpool with his Bruch; Lawrence Foster conducted the RLPO in superb performances of less familiar Liszt and Tchaikovsky.

*****

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Leighton Jones

Leighton has extensive teaching experience from early years to postgraduate level music. Currently he works as a primary music specialist, visiting instrumental teacher and examiner. As a pianist, he was inspired to play after hearing Moura Lympany at a young age and has a large collection of her recordings. Leighton’s postgraduate studies focussed on his interest in 20th-century English orchestral music, with particular study of Britten, Rawsthorne, Walton and Vaughan Williams. A keen choral singer he has developed a comprehensive knowledge of chiefly British choral music.