Concert review – “One to remember”: Andrew Manze’s BBC Prom receives outstanding critical reception

Andrew Manze’s return to the BBC Proms with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (BBC SSO) and a pairing of the two great ‘London’ symphonies, Haydn No.104 and Vaughan Williams No. 2,  has been hailed “another memorable Manze evening” (The Guardian). The conductor, who has been recording a cycle of Vaughan Williams symphonies with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic is considered to be a “musical tour-guide of unrivalled knowledge, instinct and understanding where this repertoire is concerned” (The Independent).

“In a city not short on parties, this was one to remember… Just as the composer’s A London Symphony delights in detail – the coaxing call of a lavender-seller, the jangle of a hansom cab, the metallic chill of dawn over the Thames – so does Manze’s interpretation.” The Independent, August 2018

“Manze never lost control of the great arc of a musical response to London… It was another memorable Manze evening. Let us hope that in future Proms visits, Manze will be encouraged to complete his Vaughan Williams cycle with the remaining symphonies.” The Guardian, August 2018

“Manze instantly found the pulse of this most colourful and thematically fertile of symphonies… The long progress up the Thames that opens the work and culminates in the Westminster Chimes, was spine-tinglingly atmospheric. The main Allegro had just the right amount of vulgarity and swagger, while the intimate development section was touching indeed…The busy Scherzo saw the BBC SSO at their finest and most attentive to some wonderfully clear headed conducting.” Bachtrack, August 2018