Reviews – Sir Mark Elder’s Final Manchester Concerts

“This was music as philosophy, the superb Hallé players revealing to us intangible deeper truths. After a moving speech by Elder, in which he paid tribute to both his audience and players, there was time for one more tune “before we go our separate ways”. Elgar’s Chanson de Nuit made the loveliest of farewells.”

“Bravo Hallé and Sir Mark; it's been a wonderful almost quarter-century.”

“The last pages brought forth a gargantuan choral sound in joyous unison, horns raised aloft and tam-tam ringing. No doubt a crowd-pleaser, Timotheus will surely raise the roof at this summer’s BBC Proms.”

“It was thoroughly theatrical – something Sir Mark Elder always enjoys – full of striking effects, a showpiece for the combined Hallé Choir and Hallé Youth Choir, and appealing in the role it gave the Hallé Children’s Choir voices, which were confident and strong.”

“From the imposing trumpet fanfares of the Funeral March to the serene beauty of the Adagietto and the dynamic energy of the superb Rondo-Finale, it all proves a glorious and moving tribute to the commitment, power and astonishing artistry of Elder and the Hallé.”