BaL 17.09.11 - Haydn: Symphony no. 100 "Military"

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

9.30 a.m.
Robert Philip compares versions of Haydn's Symphony.

Available versions:-

New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein
Philharmonia Hungarica, Dorati
Moscow Chamber Orchestra, Barshai
National Radio Orchestra, Horenstein
BPO, Karajan
Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra, Fischer
Dresdner Philharmonie, Herbig
Stuttgart Radio SO, Norrington
Stuttgarter Kammerorchester, Dennis Russell Davies
LPO, Solti
Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana, Shelley
COE, Abbado
Les Musiciens du Louvre-Grenoble, Minkowski
Philharmonia, Klemperer
VPO, Walter
Capella Istropolitana, Wordsworth
Stuttgart Radio SO, Schuricht
Concertgebouw, Harnoncourt
Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Schwarz
RIAS SO, Fricsay
RPO, Sanderling
Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Busch
LPO, Jochum
Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, Nikolic
Orchestra of St Luke's, Mackerras
Concertgebouw, Colin Davis
RPO, Beecham
English Chamber Orchestra, Tate
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Jansons
London Classical Players, Norrington


Flute & piano version arr. Peter Salomon:

Verhoyen, Penson

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

There must me more versions than this. Personally speaking, any of the above versions that don't include the dreaded unscripted harpsichord would be worth listening to.

[Tony Halstead]

Hanover Band, Goodman - dating from before the time when he decided that a manic harpsichord was necessary..
This recording includes a fortepiano, which is very good because it's inaudible.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

It's all so unnecessary. All the harmonies are already complete.

[visualnickmos]

Yep - down with the harpsichord; it is NOT an orchestral instrument; a solo instrument - yes. It has been well-concertoed also, by Bach, mainly, and by Poulenc brilliantly, but in an orchestra - nah! Mackerras's Mozart symphonies; - the early Telarc set are (IMO) spoiled by the constant tinkling of the dreaded H, lurking in the background.

[barber olly]

There must me more versions than this. Personally speaking, any of the above versions that don't include the dreaded unscripted harpsichord would be worth listening to.

Nla I fear but two more are VSOO Scherchen on the 2 disc EMI Great Conductors series and an early Decca LP LPO Solti. I'm with you on the interference of Harpsichord - I've never seen the point - the old Leslie Jones and the Little Orchetra of London Haydn Syms always annoyed me on this score. Did the Mogens Woldike London Syms ever make it to CD - think they were on Top Rank as LPs but I remember them favourably, but I hope Beecham will be firmly in the frame on Saturday - but any with the right combination of beef and lightness an preferably not on weary old string instruments.

[BBMmk2]

I think when CD Review did 'The London Symphonies', the reviewer reccomended Sir Colin and the COA. On that I have those recordings! I wonder which ones will be chosen for the 'Military'?

[reinerfan]

Nla I fear but two more are VSOO Scherchen on the 2 disc EMI Great Conductors series and an early Decca LP LPO Solti. I'm with you on the interference of Harpsichord - I've never seen the point - the old Leslie Jones and the Little Orchetra of London Haydn Syms always annoyed me on this score. Did the Mogens Woldike London Syms ever make it to CD - think they were on Top Rank as LPs but I remember them favourably, but I hope Beecham will be firmly in the frame on Saturday - but any with the right combination of beef and lightness an preferably not on weary old string instruments.

The Wöldike Haydn Symphonies Nos. 99-104, recorded by Vanguard, were briefly available on CD in America and I snapped them up, having had the recordings on LP. Although I have 23 different versions of No. 104, the Wöldike is the one that I prefer. It is a pity about the harpsichord in the Leslie Jones recordings as I think that he is one of the conductors that gets nearest to the spirit of Haydn. Incidentally, I have all the Leslie Jones Haydn recordings on CD, courtesy of Haydn House CDs.

[HighlandDougie]

In a quick whiz through versions to hand, Bernstein (NYPO), Jochum, Bruggen and Minkowski are all free of the dreaded harpsichord, or it's inaudible to my admittedly increasingly cloth-like ears. Minkowski uses it in other symphonies but, thankfully, not here. All versions to which I would happily return (along with Davis - in Scotland).

[barber olly]

In a quick whiz through versions to hand, Bernstein (NYPO), Jochum, Bruggen and Minkowski are all free of the dreaded harpsichord, or it's inaudible to my admittedly increasingly cloth-like ears. Minkowski uses it in other symphonies but, thankfully, not here. All versions to which I would happily return (along with Davis - in Scotland).

Having recently heard the Minkowski Jupiter and being impressed with its joie de vivre, the Military might be interesting.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

One of the downsides to a review of this work is the number of versions that require you to buy a larger set - in some instances the complete symphonies.

[verismissimo]

I seem to have two Doratis (Hungarians and LSO) and Beecham. I'll review and report back.

Love to have an HIP recommendation (but not, I think, from Eine). Harpsichords welcome.

[vinteuil]

I seem to have two Doratis (Hungarians and LSO) and Beecham. I'll review and report back.

Love to have an HIP recommendation ...

well - I very much like Frans Bruggen with the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century - I have it in an excellent 13 CD Philips set, with 19 Sturm und Drang symphs, the 6 Paris and 12 London, symphs 88-92, Sinfonia Concertante. But I too wd like to hear other HIPP versions too...

I still like the Dorati/Hungarians, and also Harnoncourt/Concertgebouw.

I don't think Goodman/Hanover got round to nr 100? Pity...

[Tony Halstead]

Yes they did, on Nimbus 5096. Coupled with 104.

[vinteuil]

... thanks, Waldhorn! I only have the hyperion CDs of Goodman/Hanover - were there lots more with Nimbus??