Haydn versus Mozart (A Question of Economic Irony)

[hopefullytrusting]

Why is it that Haydn's complete symphonies (36 hours) is half the price of Mozart's complete symphonies (12 hours)?

I've just noticed this, as I'm looking for a set to buy

I'm certain this isn't unique, but I find this circumstance intriguing.

[Karl Henning]

Why is it that Haydn's complete symphonies (36 hours) is half the price of Mozart's complete symphonies (12 hours)?

I've just noticed this, as I'm looking for a set to buy

I'm certain this isn't unique, but I find this circumstance intriguing.

Mozart is more marketable. He's Coke and "Papa" is Tab. He was the subject of Amadeus, after all. 

[DavidW]

Why is it that Haydn's complete symphonies (36 hours) is half the price of Mozart's complete symphonies (12 hours)?

Artifact of the sets you looked at, and when you looked at them. I picked up the complete Mozart symphonies conducted by Pinnock for $20 back in the day, and I've also seen Haydn symphony sets go for hundreds.

[DavidW]

And I assume you are a CD purist? Because with downloads, you only need to spend $7 for all the Mozart symphonies. Or you can listen on YouTube for free.

[hopefullytrusting]

And I assume you are a CD purist? Because with downloads, you only need to spend $7 for all the Mozart symphonies. Or you can listen on YouTube for free.

No, for classical, I pretty much only do downloads - I don't like to stream, in general, as I like to be disconnected from the Internet, for the most part, and, yes, you are correct - it definitely has to do with the sets I am looking at, as I want a good set with solid audio and production values - not the highest but satisfactory.

[Daverz]

You don't really need all the Mozarts, just, say, 25-41.  And you should start with 35-41.

[Daverz]

Mozart is more marketable. He's Coke and "Papa" is Tab. He was the subject of Amadeus, after all.

Tab?! 

[JBS]

No, for classical, I pretty much only do downloads - I don't like to stream, in general, as I like to be disconnected from the Internet, for the most part, and, yes, you are correct - it definitely has to do with the sets I am looking at, as I want a good set with solid audio and production values - not the highest but satisfactory.

Musically I think this is a very good set, and you can get it from Amazon for $8.99 if MP3 is okay.

[prémont]

Mozart is more marketable. He's Coke and "Papa" is Tab. He was the subject of Amadeus, after all.

Yes, and he also composed the Elvira Madigan concerto. 

[(poco) Sforzando]

You hardly need all the Haydn symphonies either. Most of the earlier ones are fairly ordinary. If I were you, I'd get the box set of all the Haydn Leonard Bernstein recorded (he was a great Haydn conductor), and/or the set by Neville Marriner and you'd be very well set. The versions of the Paris and London symphonies conducted by Bruggen are also very good.

[Spotted Horses]

You don't really need all the Mozarts, just, say, 25-41.  And you should start with 35-41.

No one needs any Mozart. I used to dismiss early Mozart out of hand but I have been finding gems among his early works.

[San Antone]

I am very selective with Haydn and Mozart, but really I only listen to a fraction of any composer's output.

For Mozart I really only listen to the operas, and only a handful of those. But I am very interested in those few and have several recordings of each.

For Haydn, his keyboard and chamber music, mainly the string quartets and piano trios. And I am only interested in period instrument recordings of these.

[Florestan]

No one needs any Mozart. I used to dismiss early Mozart out of hand but I have been finding gems among his early works.

That a child of six could have written something so profound and moving as the andante of the KV16 symphony is nothing short of a miracle. The boy was a genius after all, and his early symphonies are marvels of grace and feeling. To ignore them is a mistake, to dismiss them is a crime. 

[hopefullytrusting]

You hardly need all the Haydn symphonies either. Most of the earlier ones are fairly ordinary. If I were you, I'd get the box set of all the Haydn Leonard Bernstein recorded (he was a great Haydn conductor), and/or the set by Neville Marriner and you'd be very well set. The versions of the Paris and London symphonies conducted by Bruggen are also very good.

This is logical, and I do know that I have struggled mightily with Mozart (I've listened to his Symphony 41, a lot - like a lot, and it wasn't until I listened to it in Hip that I found one that I liked).

I will say that I like listening to things in order; I like hearing the progression - for me, it helps me appreciate (and come to respect) their journey. (I also like "lite" symphonies, so I suspect I will like early Haydn and Mozart symphonies).

Thanks for all the comments; I've appreciated them.

[Spotted Horses]

You can sample all of the sets for free, so there is little need to recommend specific sets. I'd just say don't neglect Harnincourt/RCO.

[hopefullytrusting]

You can sample all of the sets for free, so there is little need to recommend specific sets. I'd just say don't neglect Harnincourt/RCO.

Well, with Haydn, I've liked all of the sets I've heard so far, but I also think that Haydn is the universal composer yes, even over Bach!

Mozart is the one that I've struggled the most with, but I did like the hip recordings (I believe it was @DavidW who recommended that path to me).

[Florestan]

When it comes to incomplete Haydn sets, I'm quite fond of the Sigiswald Kuijken & La petite bande (Virgin Classics, HIP/PI) and Barry Woodsworth (Naxos, MI).

An incomplete Mozart set --- actually, not even that, as there are only 3, separate CDs --- is Istvan Kertesz & Wiener Philharmonker (Decca Eloquence). Its quality is superlative; I firmly believe that had Kertesz and the Viennese recorded a complete set, it would have been the best of them all.

The best incomplete Haydn set is Derek Solomons & L'Estro armonico (Sony).

The best incomplete Mozart set (21-41) is Josef Krips & Concertgebouw Orchestra (Decca).

My two cents, of course, other people's mileage may vary.

[Florestan]

I am very selective with Haydn and Mozart, but really I only listen to a fraction of any composer's output.

For Mozart I really only listen to the operas, and only a handful of those. But I am very interested in those few and have several recordings of each.

For Haydn, his keyboard and chamber music, mainly the string quartets and piano trios. And I am only interested in period instrument recordings of these.

I presume you have listened to at least some of their output outside your areas of interest and found it boring/uninteresting (nothing wrong with that, of course). Otherwise I can't see why you would voluntarily deprive yourself of lots of great music.

[(poco) Sforzando]

I presume you have listened to at least some of their output outside your areas of interest and found it boring/uninteresting (nothing wrong with that, of course). Otherwise I can't see why you would voluntarily deprive yourself of lots of great music.

Oh, quel homme supérieur! disait encore Candide entre ses dents, quel grand génie que ce Pococuranté! rien ne peut lui plaire. »

"Oh! what a superior man," said Candide below his breath. "What a great genius is this Pococurante! Nothing can please him."

- Voltaire

[San Antone]

I presume you have listened to at least some of their output outside your areas of interest and found it boring/uninteresting (nothing wrong with that, of course). Otherwise I can't see why you would voluntarily deprive yourself of lots of great music.

Yes, I've listened to most of the other music, but didn't find it "boring/uninteresting" - just that nowadays I only go back to those works which I found most enjoyable - much like the books I choose to re-read.