BaL 1.05.21 - Haydn: Symphony no. 92 "Oxford"

[richardfinegold]

I really couldn’t remember this Symphony before this thread. Having listened to Szell and Ormandy on Qobuz, while it’s enjoyable, but it sounds like a dry run for the Surprise and the Clock Symphonies

[LeMartinPecheur]

The message is in the name!

The Oxford gets its name because it was reported, apparently completely incorrectly, to have been performed in the Sheldonian, Oxford in connection with Haydn's degree ceremony. But it had been written some two years previously for Paris. So if not London symphony #13, shall we make it Paris symphony #7, particularly as Count D'Ogny, Grand Master of the Masonic Loge Olympique, lies behind the commissioning of all seven?

[cloughie]

The Oxford gets its name because it was reported, apparently completely incorrectly, to have been performed in the Sheldonian, Oxford in connection with Haydn's degree ceremony. But it had been written some two years previously for Paris. So if not London symphony #13, shall we make it Paris symphony #7, particularly as Count D'Ogny, Grand Master of the Masonic Loge Olympique, lies behind the commissioning of all seven?

How’s your new life on the edge of Wales, LMP?

[MickyD]

[QUOTE=Eine Alpensinfonie;844256]I recall that when the series began, it was considered quite small.[/QUOTE

Yes, but years later next to the HIP contenders, it sounds pretty big!

[Pulcinella]

Haydn supposedly conducted the symphony at the end of a ceremony in 1791, conferring on him the degree of Doctor of Music by Oxford University. In fact, the symphony had been written two years earlier for performance in Paris. His trip to Oxford symbolises the international success Haydn attained in his late fifties. And this symphony is full of all the wit, energy and joy of life that flows out of his greatest works.

I don't see the problem here. (Why the 'In fact'?)
No-one is disputing the fact that it wasn't specifically written for the ceremony; it just happened to be among the pieces that Haydn brought with him on his visit that hadn't already been heard over here. It makes sense (to me at least) that it has become associated with Haydn getting his honorary degree, though perhaps Count D'Ogny got a bit miffed.

The Oxford gets its name because it was reported, apparently completely incorrectly, to have been performed in the Sheldonian, Oxford in connection with Haydn's degree ceremony. But it had been written some two years previously for Paris. So if not London symphony #13, shall we make it Paris symphony #7, particularly as Count D'Ogny, Grand Master of the Masonic Loge Olympique, lies behind the commissioning of all seven?

Is there evidence for this, LMP?
In his BBC Music Guide on the Haydn Symphonies, Robbins Landon (who normally one would trust) says that Haydn conducted it in the Sheldonian in July 1791.

[jayne lee wilson]

See the conclusion of Matthew Rye's note to the Goodman here for a summary of the history, as I previously linked to above (#17 )... it was indeed performed at the Sheldonian just as Robbins Landon says in his excellent Eagles-Eye.........

https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/notes/55125-B.pdf

[Ein Heldenleben]

Surprised there aren’t more comments on this masterpiece. I think this is an exemplary BAL - really getting into the detail of the conducting challenges - tempo, phrasing and crucially the musical feel behind beats to the bar. Is Haydn the ultimate conductors’ test...?

[Barbirollians]

I don’t like the Jacobs - preposterous Minuet . Impressed by the modern instruments winner though.

[LeMartinPecheur]

Surprised there aren’t more comments on this masterpiece. I think this is an exemplary BAL - really getting into the detail of the conducting challenges - tempo, phrasing and crucially the musical feel behind beats to the bar. Is Haydn the ultimate conductors’ test...?

Very illuminating review. Was very surprised by the Davis finale excerpt and the lack of definition, nay muddle, of the fanfare-like rhythmic subdivisions just after the start. No comment on this from reviewer so was it just me?

All my Haydn CDs are still in boxes after my move north so no chance to check on my own versions but I could certainly find space for one of the other three finalists - Fey maybe?

[Bryn]

Unfortunately, despite claiming "unlimited streaming", QOBUZ does not permit such for the two longest 'tracks' from the Jacob recording. The same applies to 7digital, so presumably a Harmonia Mundi imposition. This principally hits the "Oxford", the first movement of which remains for purchase only, not for streaming on subscription.

[Pulcinella]

Unfortunately, despite claiming "unlimited streaming", QOBUZ does not permit such for the two longest 'tracks' from the Jacob recording. The same applies to 7digital, so presumably a Harmonia Mundi imposition. This principally hits the "Oxford", the first movement of which remains for purchase only, not for streaming on subscription.

It's available in full on Deezer.
I have no idea how material appears there, and if it's ever monitored, though.

[crb11]

It's available in full on Deezer.
I have no idea how material appears there, and if it's ever monitored, though.

It's also in full on Spotify, which seems to have most if not all Harmonia Mundi releases in my experience.

[vinteuil]

Unfortunately, despite claiming "unlimited streaming", QOBUZ does not permit such for the two longest 'tracks' from the Jacob recording. The same applies to 7digital, so presumably a Harmonia Mundi imposition. This principally hits the "Oxford", the first movement of which remains for purchase only, not for streaming on subscription.

...a few used copies of the CD going for £5.98 - £8.40 (plus p&p)

Go on, you know you want to -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0007A0E7W

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001ONSWDO

[ I see it cost me more than £9 when I purchased it in 2005.... ]





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[Ein Heldenleben]

Very illuminating review. Was very surprised by the Davis finale excerpt and the lack of definition, nay muddle, of the fanfare-like rhythmic subdivisions just after the start. No comment on this from reviewer so was it just me?

All my Haydn CDs are still in boxes after my move north so no chance to check on my own versions but I could certainly find space for one of the other three finalists - Fey maybe?

No I think he perhaps only had time to mention the allegro rather than required presto tempo and the muddied timp sound. That sub phrasing within the phrase so important in the wit and impact of the piece. Always think that if it were an opera overture the opera that follows would be a delight...

[ardcarp]

Is Haydn the ultimate conductors’ test...?

Hmmm. Only in the sense that it highlights the conductors who push (or pull?) the music where it doesn't want to go Otherwise, orchestral players of all levels are 'at ease' with Haydn, and respond readily to ideas of phrasing and articulation...assuming they aren't ridiculous.