The Haydn Thread

[Parry1912]

... the harmonia mundi CD with Ivan Monighetti and the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, with the Haydn cello concertos and the cello concerto by Pleyel is a joy

That recording of the Pleyel is in the HM Enlightenment box. Hugely enjoyable!

[Thropplenoggin]

After all the I've decided to plump for some Haydn's Paris symphonies. It's a budget-minded purchase. Since the Bruggen Paris symphonies aren't available (there is a seller in the UK but only sells domestically), I was thinking about this set, which can be had for under a fiver:



The buyers on Amazon.com seem happy enough with it.

I can't see any mention of harpsichord continuo, nor hear any on sampling it at Qobuz. Anyone know/have this set?

[Tony Halstead]

There IS a harpsichord but it's not very prominent / intrusive / obtrusive.

[MickyD]

The Harnoncourt/Concentus Musicus Wien set of the Paris Symphonies was enthusiastically received a few years ago, so much so that I bought it. But like most Harnoncourt recordings, be prepared for some surprises!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Anyone know/have this set?

Yep! I mentioned it far too briefly in #13 - this composer and these works are so damn good, it would take a special type of genius to do a bad job of them, but in a world of excellent recordings of these works, this set is the one I love most of all. The download you mention is pretty good, too, and I hope will bring you as much unadulterated joy as it has me!

[waldo]

Anyone know/have this set?

I can't seem to find the Annoying Harpsichord emoticon...........

[Thropplenoggin]

I can't seem to find the Annoying Harpsichord emoticon...........

As waldhorn notes, the harpsichord is barely noticeable, esp. compared with Pinnock's 'Sturm und Drang' symphonies, and I'm listening with headphones on! The playing is really wonderful...

[Rolmill]

Thropplenoggin, I have the Kuijken set of Paris symphonies and like fhg I think it is excellent. As Waldhorn notes, there is a fairly discreet (in fact mainly inaudible to my, admittedly not-so-young-as-they-were, ears) harpsichord. Certainly don't let it put you off some very lively, beautifully balanced and elegantly phrased playing enhanced by a slightly reverberant but clear recording. For under a fiver, it's a bargain.

[Thropplenoggin]

Thropplenoggin, I have the Kuijken set of Paris symphonies and like fhg I think it is excellent. As Waldhorn notes, there is a fairly discreet (in fact mainly inaudible to my, admittedly not-so-young-as-they-were, ears) harpsichord. Certainly don't let it put you off some very lively, beautifully balanced and elegantly phrased playing enhanced by a slightly reverberant but clear recording. For under a fiver, it's a bargain.

Thanks for the encouragement, Rolmill (and FHG earlier)!

I'm still trying to convince a UK-based market seller on Amazon to allow French-based me to buy the Bruggen Paris Symphonies, my first choice. It's only listed as 'domestic delivery' at present. Two emails but still no response.

[waldo]

As waldhorn notes, the harpsichord is barely noticeable, esp. compared with Pinnock's 'Sturm und Drang' symphonies, and I'm listening with headphones on! The playing is really wonderful...

You are right. I had a listen this evening and you really have to strain to hear the dread machine. I was really taken aback by the beauty of the playing, infact.

I might have to look into them myself.......

[Thropplenoggin]

Some more thoughts on 'harpsichord continuo, yes or no?' in Haydn:

http://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/02/arts/recordings-view-he-d-rather-fight-than-use-keyboard-in-his-haydn-series.html?src=pm

http://imslpforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=180

[MickyD]

On the strength of these recommendations, I've also just ordered Kuijken's Paris Symphonies, as well as his Syms 88-92 for the same label...but this time with La Petite Bande, which I gather isn't quite as polished as the OAE. I wish DHM would put together Kuijken's recordings of the London symphonies in a box, too.

[Thropplenoggin]

On the strength of these recommendations, I've also just ordered Kuijken's Paris Symphonies, as well as his Syms 88-92 for the same label...but this time with La Petite Bande, which I gather isn't quite as polished as the OAE. I wish DHM would put together Kuijken's recordings of the London symphonies in a box, too.

I've settled on Bruggen's Paris Symphonies, available s/h here very reasonably, but none of the blighters will deliver to France.

[verismissimo]

Compared OAE/Kuijken with Tafelmusik/Weil in The Bear this morning. 4-0 to the enlightened ones. Tafelmusik so fast and mechanical.

Will give Dorati and his Hungarians a spin later. Not mentioned yet in this thread? But very important in my own growth of appreciation of Haydn.

[verismissimo]

In the Sturm und Drang symphonies I'm fond of L'Estro Armonico under Solomons (which I have on LP).

But I'm open to suggestions for something more recent...