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17 July 2025

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Jonny Greenwood joins the Hallé for a world-class weekend at Manchester Classical

A chat with Radiohead’s guitarist, Jonny Greenwood, as he joins the Hallé orchestra for an unforgettable weekend at Manchester Classical

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At I Love Manchester, we’re all about celebrating the magic of music, especially when it comes alive in front of you. That’s why we’re beyond excited for Jonny Greenwood, the legendary Radiohead guitarist and long-time collaborator with Steve Reich, who’s joining the Hallé orchestra at the Bridgewater Hall for a performance that promises to be nothing short of spectacular. 

This performance is part of the award-winning Manchester Classical festival, taking place over the weekend of 27-29 June. It’s a vibrant celebration showcasing Manchester as a premier European hub for world-class artists and classical music. Taking place at The Bridgewater Hall, the festival includes concerts by the Hallé, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, English National Opera, Manchester Collective, Riot Ensemble and Royal Northern College of Music and plenty of free concerts and activities too.

For many musicians, the thrill of live performance is an irreplaceable experience. This sentiment rings especially true for a certain guitarist who’s no stranger to both rock and classical worlds. Known for his work with Radiohead and The Smile, he’s also performed alongside orchestras and collaborated with composers like Steve Reich. Ahead of his performance with the Hallé at Manchester Classical, we spoke to him about the power of live music and the lasting influence of Reich’s minimalist sound.

His first encounter with Reich’s music came through Music for 18 Musicians and Tehillim, but it was in 2011, when he performed Reich’s Electric Counterpoint in Poland, that his connection to the composer deepened. “It was my first experience with notated music on guitar, and that opened the door to explore more of Reich’s work. Now, we’re playing Pulse in Manchester, which has been a continuation of that journey.”

Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood joins the Hallé for Manchester Classical

One of the highlights of the upcoming performance is Clapping Music, a strikingly minimalist piece where two performers work with nothing more than their hands. “I’ve never performed it live, but it looks deceptively simple. One performer claps a rhythm, and the other has to clap almost the same rhythm but slightly shorter, causing them to go out of phase. It’s tricky, and I’m not sure if I’ll be roped into it – we’ll see once we start practising.”

For an artist who’s accustomed to intricate and layered rock compositions, Reich’s minimalist approach presents a unique challenge. Pieces like Pulse and Runner are full of shifting textures and complex rhythms, yet they’re often described as “calmly luminous” and “contemplative.” He admits, “People often shy away from connecting Reich’s music with emotion, but for me, it’s full of all sorts of feelings – joy, tension, sadness. It’s performed with such human will, and that’s what makes it emotional. When you’re playing live, those emotions come through even more because you really feel the physical effort and connection between musicians.”

Despite his own success composing for orchestras and film scores, the process of interpreting Reich’s work feels different. “It’s like comparing a painter to a cartoonist. Reich is the real deal. When I recorded Electric Counterpoint, I got to know the score inside out. There are moments where the parts are ‘nudged’ to make everything fit, and it’s those small details that make me admire his work even more. The challenge is really just following the score, and then there’s the physical difficulty of playing a five-string bass. It’s a beast!”

The performance with the Hallé presents a unique opportunity for collaboration, especially with Colin Currie, a percussionist renowned for his precision. “This will be my first time playing with Colin. I’m really excited to work with him and the Hallé musicians. They’re all phenomenal, and it’s a real privilege to perform with them.”

Reich’s impact isn’t confined to the classical world. His influence can be heard across rock, electronic, and experimental music, and the guitarist himself has felt that ripple effect. “It’s incredible how often digital sound manipulations end up sounding like Reich’s acoustic music. His Music for 18 Musicians is a prime example. He was doing that back in 1976, with nothing more than clarinets and pianos. The sound he created is still ahead of its time.”

Reich’s impact can even be heard in the guitarist’s work with Radiohead. “I’ve borrowed Reich’s phasing ideas in a simple way in songs like Let Down and Arpeggi. It’s fascinating to see how his techniques have translated into the rock realm.”

Despite his wide-ranging career, the allure of live classical performances remains strong. “There’s nothing like the sound of live players. Having an orchestra like the Hallé and a venue like the Bridgewater Hall is a real treat. But ask me again after performing Pulse – it’s a tough one!”

The spirit of Manchester Classical is all about breaking down the barriers between classical and other genres, and this is something the guitarist embraces wholeheartedly. “I hope the audience realises how human Reich’s music is and how moving it can be. A lot of his pieces involve musicians moving between instruments, swapping sheets of music as they go. It’s like watching an office during a crisis – chaotic, but beautiful.”

Finally, when asked why people should experience this performance live, the answer is clear. “There’s no substitute for live music. No matter how good your speakers are, recordings can’t compare. Live, you’re hearing something in real-time, and there’s always that excitement of it possibly going wrong. It’s the best reason to experience music live – and that’s true for classical music too.”

Whether you’re a seasoned concert-goer or looking to try something new, the festival has something for everyone. With concerts from the Hallé, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, English National Opera, and more, Manchester Classical invites you to experience the best of the classical world. And with accessibility options like wheelchair seats, step-free access, and a BSL interpreter at select shows, it’s an inclusive celebration for all.

Get ready for a night with Jonny Greenwood that’s as emotionally powerful as it is musically groundbreaking – this is one you won’t want to miss!

Tickets include day and weekend passes as well as individual ticket options. Full details can be found here

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