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

[Tony Halstead]

1) Sir CM: chamber orchestra:
Sir CD: symphony orchestra

2) Sir CM: sounding very much like a period-instrument band although at modern pitch ( lean textures, punchy brass and timps, quickish tempi).
Sir CD: 'grander' in sound, weightier, more recessed brass and timps, steadier tempi

As a previous poster has noted, the final 'Surprise' was that Mr Philip in the end chose Mackerras over Abbado, having opined that CM's minuet was rather too hasty to allow some of the detail to emerge. Abbado's perfomance was praised unreservedly.

[verismissimo]

how I wished that Robert Philip had divided his review into two parts, the 1st being the 'modern instrument' recordings, and the 2nd being the 'period instrument' ones. Mixing the two ( as he did) gave some very uncomfortable 'pitch jolts' ( the period instruments being at a pitch of about half a semitone below modern pitch) giving the generalised effect that the period instrument recordings were in some way 'duller' than their modern equivalents.
In his final analysis I agreed with him but it would have been interesting to have had his verdict on the 'best' of the period instrument versions.

Totally agree both these points, waldhorn.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

As a previous poster has noted, the final 'Surprise' was that Mr Philip in the end chose Mackerras over Abbado, having opined that CM's minuet was rather too hasty to allow some of the detail to emerge. Abbado's perfomance was praised unreservedly.

This has happened before on BaL, with the "winner" only being introduced near the end. At least we were given a fair discussion on the Mackerras Haydn 100.

[barber olly]

I never really understand the concept (or the point) of "modern instrument HIPP". It ends up being neither one thing nor the other. If I were going to buy a Norrington version, it would be with the London Classical Players.

LCP Norrington was a good lively band, I'm not sure about his work beyond this - his Stuttgart stuff seems lifeless and dull.

[Karafan]

Yes, good prog. What it lacked in tension (Abbado ahead of the field from the start, though a bracing last minute nose ahead from Sir Charles made for an interesting finish), it more than made up for in wisdom, variety and general open-minded positiveness. Interesting to hear about the 'swimming pool' acoustic of the Esterhazy Palace, having read Waldhorn's comments about it.

The French "Tribune des Critiques" programme last season covered Haydn 104 and the top vote (which accorded with what I had heard) went to Janssons and the Bavarian Radio Orchestra. It's coupled with No 100, and Robert Philip referred to it briefly. I bought that disc on the strength of the French programme, and love it. The finale of 100 is really spectacular, breathtaking for a live recording really, and rounded off with enthusiastic applause. Not normally a fan of 'big band' Haydn but that's a cracker I think.

Bought, on your say-so, Caliban! Thanks for the heads-up....

Karafan

[Nick Armstrong]

Bought, on your say-so, Caliban! Thanks for the heads-up....

Karafan

Hope it's not a "heads-off"... if you don't like it!! I'm pretty confident it won't be. Do come back and say what you think!!!

[vinteuil]

Not 'lots', a few:
94 ('Surprise') & 95 coupled with the original version of the L. Mozart 'Toy symphony, in G rather than C : Nimbus NI 5126
31 ( 'Hornsignal') with a couple of those rather dubious horn concertos: NI 5190

waldhorn - very many thanks for the tip.

I have acquired nimbus NI7024, which gives me

94 Surprise
100 Military
104 London

I am enjoying this a lot. Some great wind playing - and some fantastic horn playing.

I hope there is a Mr Waldhorn in the mix??

[Tony Halstead]

Well, I'm quite quite sure that there must have been TWO Waldhorns playing, since the Ventilhorn wasn't invented until several years after Haydn's death!
I'll have a listen tonight , just to be sure...

[MickyD]

waldhorn - very many thanks for the tip.

I have acquired nimbus NI7024, which gives me

94 Surprise
100 Military
104 London

I am enjoying this a lot. Some great wind playing - and some fantastic horn playing.

I hope there is a Mr Waldhorn in the mix??

Vinteuil - many critics have often said the Hanover Band recordings made for Nimbus are far too over-resonant, but I have to say I rather like them. Did you ever acquire a 2 CD set they made called "Beethoven and the Philharmonic", marking the 175th anniversary of the Royal Philharmonic Society and recreating some original concerts? Its a long deleted set, but I love it primarily for an absolutely blazing performance of Cherubini's overture to "Anacreon"...great stuff.

[Tony Halstead]

quoted from MickyD:"Did you ever acquire a 2 CD set they made called "Beethoven and the Philharmonic","

yes, I agree with you about the Cherubini.
'Napoleon's midnight review' is definitely worth a listen.
The horn piece by Weber horn sounds like it needed a bit more rehearsal and a few re-takes IMHO.

[MickyD]

I'd agree with that Waldhorn, but I still have a very fond affection for that performance, as it was my discovery of this fun work. The recording also appeared on another Hanover Band disc sandwiched between the 2 Weber symphonies - again well worth a listen!