86 is a stunner isn't it? Marvellous coda to (i)/finale... I recall thrilling to Ansermet's, then Bernstein (his Paris set is far more consistent than his London), later Rattle, later still Bruggen, and the stunning every-single-repeat Harnoncourt/CMW (if I had to choose one etc).....it does seem to inspire its performers....
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Last edited by ferneyhoughgeliebte; 26-11-19, 11:25. -
Last evening I opted for soup (near-miraculous effect) and a sip or two of Brandy (never hurts...)....heartbeat stabilised today, so a bit tired & dazed but OK and - looking forward to more soup (reinforced with wine, garlic, herbs etc...)Originally posted by Alison View Post
Faves for Haydn 52? First-Haydn-love Bruggen or Fey..... 73? Sorry gang but after his mentor, its Fey again....
...the very first Heidelberger album I ever bought (after a Richard Wigmore review, G. 6/08.......free content for nonsubscriber on firefox at least.....https://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/...s-nos-70-73-75.... very pansophical of potential response, but of course it is those so-censured extremes that I so love...
The finale horns are.....
OTT doesn't begin to describe it..then that sweet, nonchalant close.....Never felt the need for another one after that.
But the showstopper on that album (70,73,75 as great a Haydn single as I ever heard) is the finale to 70..... all those characteristics that turn some off and turn some of us very consentingly on, in startlingly, highly-coloured abundance!
If you find yourself laughing during music like that (& with Thomas Fey I often do, & now laughter through tears for the lovely man, how cruel life can be..), you can't be too far from some essential metaphysical truth, surely....
75 (ii) playing now.... oh my word, what blessed sounds....Last edited by jayne lee wilson; 25-11-19, 18:09.Comment
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Another great favourite of mine is No 80 in Dm. In the first movement Haydn sets Sturm und Drang against galant elements. The finale is obsessively syncopated. The Orpheus Chamber orchestra give a terrific account of this piece, surely one of the composer’s finest.Comment
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That Groves CD is good. Probably totally unfashionable in 2019, who cares - bit like me really - but I still reach to my shelves for the Beecham 93-104, particularly 101/102/104.Originally posted by LMcD View PostComment
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Posts rehoused here from the BaL on Symph #102.
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][I][B]Numquam Satis![/B][/I][/FONT]Comment
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Thanks to jlw’s advocacy, currently listening to the Fey/Heidelberger London Symphonies box (delectable Andante from No 103 as I type) - yes, yes, yes! is all I can say. Readings I shall want to return to, not to the exclusion of others, but often. Ideal Qobuz fare, always there to dip into or settle back to, at home, on a drive... Great sounding recordings too.
I had no idea about his accident....
Fell down the stairs at home, end of career, is that right? What a nightmare.
Last edited by Nick Armstrong; 26-11-19, 14:57."...the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."
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The last news I saw was I think from 2016.....
"It has since become apparent, according to members of the Heidelberger Sinfoniker, that "barring a miracle", Fey will not return to podium activity."
Evidently very discreet and keen to protect his privacy, the Orchestra have spoken of their great affection for their founder, and all he has done. Apart from Haydn, all those wonderful Mendelssohn Symphonies, and of course Beethoven which I haven't yet explored.
The "Schlierbacher CO" on the 1999 Hanssler release of 64 and 45 was the forerunner to the Heidelberger Sinfoniker, also founded by Fey, and I have to say it is one of the loveliest in the series, beautifully recorded. Top-recommend for any Haydneer & Tempora Mutantur is another hidden treasure..
I'm sorry if I mention his tragedy so often, but he had become a musical hero for me. And it is truly heartbreaking to think that we'll never hear what he might have done with Schumann.... now that really could have been a heavenly match.
Benjamin Spillner has done well in his releases, 101 in the London set and the double-album of 35/46/51 c/w Fey's last recordings of Nos. 6-8, and very lovely they all are.
Spillner is inevitably less idiosyncratic than Fey, which some may of course prefer. The sound-picture is otherwise very similar......
But despite some hints at continuation, the future of the cycle seems doubtful.....the Curse of the Haydn Cycle strikes again.Last edited by jayne lee wilson; 26-11-19, 21:29.Comment
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I just listened, following the recommendation above, to Symphony no. 86: what a delight! Many highlights, but the bassoon solo in the trio takes the biscuit. The orchestra, the Berlin Phil, were clearly enjoying themselves!Comment
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