Haydn 2032

[Richard Barrett]

Very interesting. I will have your observation at the front of my mind when I next listen.

Everyone has their own Haydn of course! I would just question the stereotype of the witty and urbane entertainer - he may have tended in that direction in later years, but these symphonies and the op.20 quartets, to name only these, have a more complex story behind them it seems to me.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

NB: I simply can't understand why Sir JEG hasn't recorded any Haydn symphonies!

Even he can't do everything.

[Beef Oven!]

Everyone has their own Haydn of course! I would just question the stereotype of the witty and urbane entertainer - he may have tended in that direction in later years, but these symphonies and the op.20 quartets, to name only these, have a more complex story behind them it seems to me.

Indeed, people have their own [add composer’s name]. I don't stereotype Haydn that way, but I hadn't 'tuned in' to the shadows as much as the light in Haydn.

[jayne lee wilson]

My favourite piece in the series so far has been no.46, whose many subtleties and strange turns are I think brilliantly brought out by Antonini and his ensemble. This has been the revelation for me so far. I think too many interpreters seek to emphasise the light of Haydn's symphonies at the expense of the shadow, and Antonini for me is one of the few who doesn't.

Bruggen is very expressive in this way, and I found his wonderful 46 goes even further than Antonini in that respect - sadly most of his Haydn is in very large boxsets now, but most of it seems to be accessible on Qobuz. One of his earlier discs had the 47-46-26-49 sequence, stunningly realised. I recall doing a (brief! ) three way comparison of No.42 with Bruggen, Antonini and Thomas Fey, IIRC on the New Releases thread, but I can't find it & don't seem to have saved it....(**found it, see next post...)

But I would draw very enthusiastic attention to Fey and his Heidelbergers - modern instruments but very much HIPPs, almost all of them remarkably dramatic, sharply defined, very well recorded and with a wide emotional range. The 70/73/75 coupling mentioned above is one of his best, as is the 48/56 and 26/42/27. Any Haydneer worth their Esterhazys should seek the series out... it really is Haydn made new...

[jayne lee wilson]

These were my earlier thoughts on Haydn 2032 Vol. 3.....
(I wonder if the Giardino thought they'd overdone it a bit, and reined themselves in for Vol.4? Shame if that's the case - I feel we could have done with a bit of over-acting for IL Distrait...)

"As with previous volumes, No.42 here is beautifully recorded and very well done of its kind - extremes of tempi and jack-in-the-box dynamics, articulation sur les pointes, physically exciting if at times a bit strait-laced & po-faced.... this band's expressive manoeuvres can seem a bit over-obvious - they want to make you jump out of your chair in the finale, by playing very very quietly and then BOO! LIKE THIS!

Thomas Fey is a deal more affectionate and humorous in this lovable work, finding greater warmth & expressive subtlety from the very start; the Mozartian woodwind variation in the finale really makes you smile, where the quicker Antonini plays it very plain and straight....
I fell in love with this symphony through Bruggen's classic OAE account, and it really does respond to that warmer, more leisurely approach. The way he pussyfoots it into the finale is irresistible...!"

[BBMmk2]

Thanks for the thumbs up Beefy. Looks rather a good way of planning Haydn's marvellous cycle of symphonies.

[Beef Oven!]

Thanks for the thumbs up Beefy. Looks rather a good way of planning Haydn's marvellous cycle of symphonies.

Yes, the release over time of all 107 symphonies is being handled at a nice pace, so far and is part of the enjoyment!

Unlike the painful, sometimes aching process that delivered Tod Handley’s RVW and Simpson cycles.

[BBMmk2]

Yes, the release over time of all 107 symphonies is being handled at a nice pace, so far and is part of the enjoyment!

Unlike the painful, sometimes aching process that delivered Tod Handley’s RVW and Simpson cycles.

Gosh yes!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

The latest recording (released today) is on offer from Europadisc, with a review that Forumistas may find usefuland/or interesting.

https://www.europadisc.co.uk/classical/134965/Haydn_2032_Vol.5:_LHomme_de_genie.htm?utm_source=Europadisc+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=b6ab28b261-Newsletter_17_November_2017&utm

[Bryn]

The latest recording (released today) is on offer from Europadisc, with a review that Forumistas may find usefuland/or interesting.

https://www.europadisc.co.uk/classic...ember_2017&utm

Also available on QOBUZ with a promotional price for "Sublime" subscribers (of which I am not one).

[Dave2002]

Also available on QOBUZ with a promotional price for "Sublime" subscribers (of which I am not one).

Just caught up on this thread, so now listening to Il Distratto via the streaming service. The symphony does seem slightly odd, being based on music written for a theatrical presentation - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._60_(Haydn)
I might even open up my Hogwood box set for comparison.
I shall probably try to listen to some of Antonini's Beethoven too - having listened to a couple of versions of Beethoven 8 today (Hogwood, Krivine).

[Beef Oven!]

Having pre-ordered it a while back, I've only just got 'round to downloading the 6th instalment in this project today. I've only listened to Symphony #3 and #79, but I really enjoyed the performances (I'm not familiar with either of these) and first impressions are that this is a contender for the strongest so far.

I'm saving #26 for later as I relish this Storm Und Drang symphony and I'm keen on Trevor Pinnock/The English Concert, so looking forward to a close listen. May give #30 a spin layer tonight.

[Richard Barrett]

I'm saving #26 for later as I relish this Storm Und Drang symphony and I'm keen on Trevor Pinnock/The English Concert, so looking forward to a close listen.

It's the best recording I've heard of no.26, particularly of the second movement.

[Beef Oven!]

It's the best recording I've heard of no.26, particularly of the second movement.

Which one, Pinnock or Antonini, it's not totally clear which one, from your post? Probably Pinnock?

[Richard Barrett]

Which one, Pinnock or Antonini, it's not totally clear which one, from your post? Probably Pinnock?

Oh yes you're right. Well it used to be Pinnock, but now it's Antonini.