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Honeck previews his Philharmonia vision in energetic Royal Festival Hall concert
Manfred Honeck, the Philharmonia’s principal conductor designate, offered an energetic preview of his approach in a concert at London’s Royal Festival Hall. The programme linked the Viennese dance tradition with Mozart and Richard Strauss, and showed how Honeck intends to preserve classical traditions while bringing them vividly to life.
The concert opened with Johann Strauss II’s *Fledermaus Overture*, played with buoyant elegance, and included Mozart’s Piano Concerto No 25, with Emanuel Ax praised for his lucid, finely shaded performance. Honeck’s own suite from *Elektra* brought a stark change of mood, building to a forceful climax. He is due to take up the Philharmonia post in 2028, becoming its seventh principal conductor in the ensemble’s 81-year history.
In short
- Honeck gave a lively preview of his future Philharmonia leadership.
- Emanuel Ax brought clarity to Mozart’s Piano Concerto No 25.
- Honeck becomes the orchestra’s principal conductor in 2028.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Philharmonia/Honeck/Ax review – principal conductor designate gives a scorching taste of things to come”.