BaL 3.12.16 - Haydn: Symphony no. 99 in E flat

[Alison]

The 99th is one of only two Haydn symphonies that Haitink has recorded - and they were both set down right at the beginning of his career. It's a sad and curious omission as he has performed several of them often in concert. As it was, Colin Davis recorded the 'London' symphonies with the Concertgebouw and his set is almost always my first port of call for 93 -104.

Of others, Szell is unexpectedly charming and elegant in Haydn as is, also unexpectedly perhaps, Bernstein.

I daresay a HIPP recording will be chosen as almost seems inevitable in this sort of repertoire so I'll stay happy with those I have.

I've heard some marvellous Haydn symphonies under Bernard Haitink in the concert hall and on the airwaves.

Finer even than Davis in my view.

[Alison]

I daresay a HIPP recording will be chosen as almost seems inevitable in this sort of repertoire so I'll stay happy with those I have.

I can recall Richard Wigmore selecting Davis in previous BaL's on Haydn 88 and 103 if memory serves.

[BBMmk2]

Well I am glad that Sir Colin Davis was well received today, even though Marc Minkowski's recording was the overall winner. These days I suppose the HIPP's would be chosen but I still think there's room for the non-HIPP's. Sometimes I prefer this.

[Bryn]

A decidedly low cost BaL for me, having ordered the Minkowski Londons in advance of their release to supplement the old Colin Davis and old and newer Norringtons. However, I'm with JLW re. the later Norrington, preferring it to his LCP recording.

[Cockney Sparrow]

Minkowski, Norrington SWR Stuttgart, Bruggen Orch 18th C but not the Kuijken are on Naxos Music Library. (BTW Dantone -in other Symphonies - is also there). #24 :

http://www.for3.org/forums/showthread.php?7506-Online-Naxos-music-library&p=587938#post587938

[visualnickmos]

Surprisingly little interest generated by this Bal. I thought it would have been quite a "talking point".

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Surprisingly little interest generated by this Bal. I thought it would have been quite a "talking point".

Well, I found it quite an unexceptionable BaL - calmly detached, gently analytical, balanced & fair; no "clever comments" - no empty dismissals (although I objected to his description of the Bruno Weil as "bland"), and a good selection of recommendations. I felt that - with so many excellent recorded performances of this excellent work - he could have chosen any one of the ones he singled out as "the chosen one"; the Minkowski just seemed (entirely justifiably) the one that grabbed his attention most at this moment - next month, he might (with equal justification) have gone for another.

[rauschwerk]

Having now heard the whole piece with much enjoyment, I have just one quibble - over Minkowski's tempo for the minuet. The London symphony minuets mostly have tempo markings: Moderato, Allegretto, Allegro, Allegro molto (the last is unique and belongs to the Surprise symphony). Minkowski's idea of Allegretto here is so brisk that I'm left boggling as to what he does with the faster minuets! He does at least ease the tempo for the trio.