For someone who had such a long career as a period-instrument violinist, Manze’s interpretations with the NDR Radiophilharmonie (of which he is now principal conductor) are surprisingly Romantic – and none the worse for that. To make the two most famous among all 18th-century symphonies sound so fresh is no mean feat. I enjoyed these performances immensely.

The NDR Radiophilharmonie is anything but plush. The orchestra’s signature sound is neither rich velour nor the hard wood of self-denial, just forthright and lightly padded at best. Manze embraces the final symphony’s theatricality and offers an opening Allegro vivace of churning drama, color, and excitement. All in all, this is a remarkable “Jupiter.”

Given his long career as an exponent of historical performance practice, Andrew Manze comes at this music as if from within, displaying a natural sensitivity to effect and Affekt. Speeds are judiciously chosen and are never outlandish: you will have to search elsewhere for performances that motor through these symphonies with vim and virtuoso vigour…No fireworks, just music-making of the highest standard, that you’d never guess was taken from concert performances.

This disc is so outstanding, and Manze such a fine musician, that I was not ready to find him subscribing to the fashion for fast Mozart minuets…Otherwise...I wanted for nothing and was stirred by these thrilling performances — Mozart on the heights.