Page 331 - Liverpool Philharmonic 22-23 Season Coverage Book

Photo: Ben Wright

The musicians are, as you may expect, extremely gifted.

However, they are not just technically gifted. As the music reveals itself, the expressions of those
creating such sound are a feat to witness in itself. There is a difference in audience experience
when watching an orchestra play music compared to when watching an orchestra live through
music. The musicians become fully absorbed in their playing – this, combined with Andrew
Manze’s passionate conducting, brings the audience into the concert beyond an aural
experience.

As the second half gets underway, the audience is immersed in Vaughan Williams. Picking up
the pace again, William’s ‘The Running Set’ skips around the hall. Running together four folk
tunes William’s knew well (‘Barrack Hill’, ‘The Blackthorn Stick’, ‘Irish Reel’ and ‘Cock o’ the
North’) it demands excellent timing from the orchestra and faultless communication between
them and the conductor.

Closing the concert’s, The Fifth Symphony, makes its appearance. The audience are taken on a
journey through ambiguous modal harmony and emotional fragments in four sections. Composed
when the world was at war, there are contrasts between light and dark, hope and melancholy. It
has a somewhat cathartic, choral tone to it.

The orchestra look to Manze to lead them through this last section of the concert as the evening
of aural storytelling comes to a close. As Manze gently brings them to a silent stillness, both the
audience and the orchestra are hypnotised, before erupting into fulfilled applause.

Information about further concerts is available at https://www.liverpoolphil.com/current-events/

Reviewer: Ezzy LaBelle