Rush Hour: Beethoven’s Fifth by Britten, Beethoven, Van (2025/2025), Dirigent Stephanie Childress, The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, Verenigd Koninkrijk

Stephanie Childress, praised for her ‘elegant self-possession’ (Bachtrack) and ‘lithe vitality’ (The Guardian), conducts a contrasting duo of symphonies. One of the most compelling young musicians working today, Stephanie Childress opens the programme with Britten’s Simple Symphony. Developed from a selection of his earlier works and melodies of which he was particularly fond, this includes the second movement, ‘Playful Pizzicato’ which echoes the opening notes of the theme tune to the long-running BBC radio show The Archers. Beethoven’s thundering Fifth Symphony closes the programme. Also known as ‘The Fate Symphony’ – that instantly-recognisable opening motif was characterised by the composer himself as fate literally knocking at the door – it is one of the most popular and frequently-sampled pieces of music worldwide.