Beethoven Symphonies 5 & 7 release on Pentatone met with rave reviews

The first instalment of Andrew Manze and the NDR Radiophilharmonie’s Beethoven symphony cycle has been met with rave reviews. In the recording, released on Pentatone, Manze conducts the orchestra in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and Symphony No. 7.

Upon release, the Sunday Times chose the disc as their Album of the Week:

“The strings never sound too plush or saturated, giving these performances a feeling of contemporary freshness and interpretative zest. Manze is clearly working wonders in his German outpost.”

Earlier this month, Crescendo observed:

“When was the last time any conductor raised in the historically-informed performance practice dared to play Beethoven’s Fifth with so much pathos? His interpretation is about details, colourful and clear in articulation, but simultaneously very dramatic. This recording urges us to reconsider and dismiss many a prejudice.”

The recording was also chosen as Scala Radio’s Album of the Week. Manze spoke with Simon Mayo on air for Scala Radio about his and the orchestra’s relationship with Beethoven Symphony No. 5. As the NDR Radiophilharmonie’s Chief Conductor, Manze has taken the orchestra on a journey with the symphony; from first playing it together nearly six years ago, to performing it at the 2019 BBC Proms. Manze detailed how he keeps the most iconic of symphonies alive in his conducting, and how he guides the orchestra in “making it [their] own.”