Michael Haydn: 24-28 October

[doversoul1]

His music may not be regarded by critics as highly as his brother’s but I am very much enjoying this week’s Composer of the Week.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

His music may not be regarded by critics as highly as his brother’s but I am very much enjoying this week’s Composer of the Week.

Oh. I was listening to today's programme and thinking what anaemic stuff it was! I don't think it's just critics who don't regard Michael's work as highly as brother Josef's, though.

[doversoul1]

Oh, that’s probably why I enjoyed it. I quite like less full-blooded music.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

[jean]

He's not anaemic at all! He's a fine composer in his own right, and Mozart owes a lot to him

I took part in what I believe was the first modern performance of the work in this country at the Conway Hall in about 1967 with the Bloomsbury Singers under John Poole.

I hadn't even heard the Mozart Requiem at that point, but the debt was obvious as soon as I did.

[doversoul1]

I wonder if Mozart ever mentioned JC Bach to Michael Haydn.

[Richard Barrett]

Oh. I was listening to today's programme and thinking what anaemic stuff it was!

I haven't yet had a chance to listen to any of this programme but I would generally agree on the basis of what I've previously heard, except to say that he seems to have been quite innovative with instrumentation, especially in some of his divertimento/serenade-type pieces.

[DaisyDog]

Listening to the ever enlightening 'Composer of the Week' it is obvious just what a great composer Michael Haydn was. His choral works in particular are extraordinary. Well, everything he wrote was. What a pair they were, Joseph and Michael. We should have more music from these two. A whole day would be good, a week would be even better. This is radio broadcasting at it's best. Bless Saint Donald McLeod.

[MickyD]

Thanks to ds for making me aware of this week's COTW - I'm really enjoying the programmes and it is great to have a chance to hear so many unknown pieces, which I personally think are delightful.

[DracoM]

If he'd changed his name, maybe we'd listen with a little more reverence?

[MickyD]

Oh. I was listening to today's programme and thinking what anaemic stuff it was! I don't think it's just critics who don't regard Michael's work as highly as brother Josef's, though.

I have to say that the Requiem in Tuesday's programme is pretty powerful stuff, it's a CD I have now put on my shopping list. A terrific performance, too.