Favorite Haydn Symphonies

[André]

It is with much chagrin that I notice you bypass # 82, my favourite among the 104...

Just joking of course. I also happen to like 73-76 inordinately - i.e., I seem to be the only one to hanker a preference for them.

[Gurn Blanston]

It is with much chagrin that I notice you bypass # 82, my favourite among the 104...

Just joking of course. I also happen to like 73-76 inordinately - i.e., I seem to be the only one to hanker a preference for them.

They are 2 favorite Parisians. I had a very difficult choice, but finally decided on the g minor because I had so few minor key choices compared to most. I could go either way, though.

[DavidW]

Just joking of course. I also happen to like 73-76 inordinately - i.e., I seem to be the only one to hanker a preference for them.

I've been listening to those symphonies more than any other in the past year excepting perhaps the Bruckner 8th.

[EigenUser]

So, when do you get to the point where you know the theme of every movement from every Haydn symphony? That seems so daunting!

[Jo498]

Just joking of course. I also happen to like 73-76 inordinately - i.e., I seem to be the only one to hanker a preference for them.

I think 73-81 may be the most underrated bunch of Haydn's symphonies, except for 73 with the hunting horns finale and 78 they are almost unknown. Some of them were written for a planned trip to London that did not take place. It is understandable that the Paris set outshines them, but they are unfairly neglected compared to some IMO not so remarkable "named" symphonies like 43, 53 or 63

[EigenUser]

Okay, I'LL be the one to vote for a non-6-7-8 single digit. I heard #2 today and I loved it. Especially the slow movement -- the last note was hilarious, for some reason -- unexpectedly short staccato after long, flowing legato passages. I think I'll even put it in my top five:
88, 46, 103, 2, 99, 79

Oops, that is six .

#1 is good, too. The opening reminds me of Mozart, but it gets more interesting .

[Ken B]

Okay, I'LL be the one to vote for a non-6-7-8 single digit. I heard #2 today and I loved it. Especially the slow movement -- the last note was hilarious, for some reason -- unexpectedly short staccato after long, flowing legato passages. I think I'll even put it in my top five:
88, 46, 103, 2, 99, 79

Oops, that is six .

#1 is good, too. The opening reminds me of Mozart, but it gets more interesting .

I get raspberries every time I say it but ... Except for the last few Mozart's symphonies are not his best stuff, and not up to Haydn. So we can face the jeers together Nate. (Sarge though was talking about a rope and a tree.)

[Scion7]

I get raspberries every time I say it but ... Except for the last few Mozart's symphonies are not his best stuff, and not up to Haydn. So we can face the jeers together Nate. (Sarge though was talking about a rope and a tree.)

I agree to a point - I'd include besides No.'s 39-41, Symphonies 35, 36 & 38. also.  I think Mendelssohn's juvenile symphonies are superior to Mozart's juvenile symphonies - of course, Felix had more history to draw upon.


I don't think I can list "15 favorite Haydn symphonies" - that would take quite a bit of going back and listening!
I'll just say the "London Symphonies" and leave it at that.  I'm too lazy.

[Ken B]

I agree to a point - I'd include besides 39-42, Symphonies 35, 36 & 38. also.


I don't think I can list "15 favorite Haydn symphonies" - that would take quite a bit of going back and listening!
I'll just say the "London Symphonies" and leave it at that.  I'm too lazy.

I did not cast all 15 ballots but didn't vote for a single London or Paris. Though if you guilt me I'll 'fess up to 104. Nor 88.

[EigenUser]

I get raspberries every time I say it but ... Except for the last few Mozart's symphonies are not his best stuff, and not up to Haydn. So we can face the jeers together Nate. (Sarge though was talking about a rope and a tree.)

I got the score to Mozart No. 38 in a big box of old scores from eBay and listened to it yesterday. I gave it a fair shot. While there were a few things here and there that caught my attention, I thought that it was dull. Haydn's melodies are much catchier and generally more memorable.

That being said, I really do like Mozart No. 41.

[Jo498]

Mozart's 38 "Prager" dull? I beg to differ; I think the first movement is the greatest symphonic movement Mozart wrote (o.k., maybe together with the final of 41) and while I prefer Haydn's symphonies overall (as most of Mozart's are either juvenile or occasional works), I am not sure whether he did anything like it. Certainly not on such a grand scale. The tension at the beginning of the allegro, the plaintive second subject with the countermelody in the bassoons? the polyphony and energy of the development section. This is an extraordinary piece of music in any respect.

[André]

As is the first movement of the E Flat symphony... Mozart's own luminous response to his dark, agitated ghosts.

But back to Haydn.

There is an expression dear to the english press: "Haydn's patented walking themes". I think it refers to the amiable, naturally paced, ambling gait of his slow movement themes. Which can be slow (in which case they are of the dolorous persuasion) or andante-like.  Most of the latter seem to be of the 'patented walking theme' kind.

Any thoughts or preferences ? Personally I think his adagios are remarkable, but his andantes are inimitable.

[Jo498]

andante (+usually some kind of variation) favorites:
#70 (with canonic writing as bonus), #82, #84 (much underrated compared to 85), #90 (major-minor), #91 (also quite underrated)

[André]

Just purchased from Haydn House's web site: the Leslie Jones performances of symphonies 43, 45 and 49. These are from late sixties-early seventies performances on the Nonesuch label. Many consider their combination of ease, brilliance and colour unsurpassed. The Little Orchestra of London was made up of the best free-lancers in London.

It just so happens they are among my favourite Sturm und Drang period works by Haydn 

[Sergeant Rock]

Just purchased from Haydn House's web site: the Leslie Jones performances of symphonies 43, 45 and 49. These are from late sixties-early seventies performances on the Nonesuch label. Many consider their combination of ease, brilliance and colour unsurpassed. The Little Orchestra of London was made up of the best free-lancers in London.

It just so happens they are among my favourite Sturm und Drang period works by Haydn 

The '75 Penguin calls 49 (coupled with 44) "under-characterized" and "one of this conductor's less successful couplings" and gives the LP one and half stars (might explain why I didn't buy it then). They are more generous with 45 (coupled on LP with 19 and 31). Anyway, I like the Jones and his little band I do have: 12, 26, 63, 78 and 83--and not only for reasons of nostalgia.

Sarge

[André]

I have thei Parisian symphonies and like everything about them. Not as stunning as the VCM under Harnoncourt, but probably more palatable. I know these symphonies quite well. I shall report  .

[starrynight]

I think we need a project to give nicknames to all the other symphonies.

84 needs a better nickname then it might be more popular, it's the best of the Paris set for me.

97 I'd call The Majestic.

[EigenUser]

I still can't believe that no one (other than myself) voted for the first five. I love the 2nd. The first is great, too, but I am particularly fond of the perpetual-motion andante of the 2nd (and also the finale).

[amw]

84 needs a better nickname then it might be more popular, it's the best of the Paris set for me.

If I had to whittle my choice of Haydn symphonies down to only two, it would be 84 and 102.

(I don't think I'd be able to choose one over the other)

[Gurn Blanston]

I still can't believe that no one (other than myself) voted for the first five. I love the 2nd. The first is great, too, but I am particularly fond of the perpetual-motion andante of the 2nd (and also the finale).

I ran out of votes, although I did vote for both 12 & 16, a pair of underrated classics! I like 4, also.