Haydn's Haus

[karlhenning]

Not much of a plan when nearly half of them aren't worth listening to more then several times.

Still, "several" is a variable which will depend upon the individual.

[PerfectWagnerite]

Have it your way, but don't complain when you get half-away through the set and find yourself completed disgusted of this music altogether.

That's a bit strong. I think the early symphonies are a great deal of fun. Once in a while there is a surprise here and there, like the extended flute solo in the finale of symphony number twenty-something (don't remember which one exactly). But one thing I'll say I never get BORED per say, unless I have to listen to more than 1 CD at a time. I think if you go at it like one or two CDs a week you'll find the early symphonies very much enjoyable.

I think anything after 60 or so is pretty  much essential listening.

[Kullervo]

Corey,
I was looking at the Fischer set as well.  However, I am waiting patiently for Brilliant to release Haydn's complete works and netting them that way and just have it all.  Then I will go back and continue to add other recordings outside of this mega box set that I deem "truly brilliant". 

Complete works or just the symphonies, because they've already released a big box of the Fischer set.

http://www.amazon.com/Haydn-Complete-Symphonies-Box-Set/dp/B00006GA50/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1198680738&sr=8-1

[Bogey]

Complete works or just the symphonies, because they've already released a big box of the Fischer set.

http://www.amazon.com/Haydn-Complete-Symphonies-Box-Set/dp/B00006GA50/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1198680738&sr=8-1

Complete works.  Knowing Brilliant, it may be more cost effective to go for the larger set. 

[karlhenning]

Is there a complete works box in the pipeline, Bill, or is that a pipedream? 

(A thrice-worthy pipedream, be it noted!)

[Bogey]

Is there a complete works box in the pipeline, Bill, or is that a pipedream? 

(A thrice-worthy pipedream, be it noted!)

According to Harry there was at one point, and somehow he has direct access to the House of Orange-Nassau who should be "in the know" on something of such great importance.   He did predict the Beethoven set....and might I say better than the local meteorologists that missed our winter snowstom that hit yesterday at predawn.     

[karlhenning]

Well, when it comes to the availability of recordings, Harry's authority is supreme 

[DavidW]

Whatever you do, i strongly recommend you start from the last symphonies and go backwards from there. Trust me on this.

Suffer from ocd much?

[karlhenning]

Yow! David is back in da house! 

[Bogey]

Well, when it comes to the availability of recordings, Harry's authority is supreme 

I'm guessing he has a "beta" version already on the shelf Karl.

Yow! David is back in da house! 

Coolness and bees knees all wrapped into one!

[(poco) Sforzando]

Thanks, but I think I'll listen to them all from the beginning and decide that for myself.

Good idea, as there are some marvelous pieces among the early works as well as some I can take or leave. The early trilogy of #6-8 (Le Matin, Le Midi, and Le Soir) #22, the "Philosopher," with its dignified opening movement featuring 2 English horns, #31, and #44, are only a few fine pieces that come immediately to mind. And though I admit I don't have the Fischer set right now, I have all the Doratis and I think there is much fine music-making there, whether or not the Fischers are "superior." A couple of years ago I went through the entire set in sequence, and I would hardly say I was "completed disgusted of this music altogether," quite the contrary. It was in fact fascinating to observe Haydn's evolution from the earlier works to the more mature masterpieces.

[BachQ]

Whatever you do, i strongly recommend you start from the last symphonies and go backwards from there. Trust me on this.

I recommend starting from the middle (#52), and working concentrically outward from there (i.e., after 52, next would be 51 and 53; then 50 and 54 ....... etc .......)

[Kullervo]

I recommend starting from the middle (#52), and working concentrically outward from there (i.e., after 52, next would be 51 and 53; then 50 and 54 ....... etc .......)

Or go according to the symphonies whose number is closest in corresponding to the Fibonacci series.  

[Don]

Whatever you do, i strongly recommend you start from the last symphonies and go backwards from there. Trust me on this.

My mom's best advice to me was - never pay attention to anyone who says "trust me".  In addition I always feel that starting from the beginning is the best way to go (and I already did).

[BachQ]

Trust me: your mom knows best ........

[karlhenning]

My mom's best advice to me was - never pay attention to anyone who says "trust me".

Excellent advice.

And (not at all coincidentally) "trust me" is one of ACD's/"davidzalman's" pet phrases, for instance.

[Sergeant Rock]

My mom's best advice to me was - never pay attention to anyone who says "trust me".

Excellent advice.

Indeed...




Sarge

[ChamberNut]

Discovering Haydn's string quartets for the first time.  Starting off with sampling Naxos Kodaly Quartet, the Opus 76.  This is terrific stuff!!!   

I would like some recommendations for which are Haydn's best string quartets (perhaps 10-20), and some great recordings.  I only have the Seven Last Words of Christ arranged for String Quartet in my collection, by the Emerson SQ.  Love it!

[Harry]

Discovering Haydn's string quartets for the first time.  Starting off with sampling Naxos Kodaly Quartet, the Opus 76.  This is terrific stuff!!!   

I would like some recommendations for which are Haydn's best string quartets (perhaps 10-20), and some great recordings.  I only have the Seven Last Words of Christ arranged for String Quartet in my collection, by the Emerson SQ.  Love it!

I would say, all SQ are best. Haydn simply wrote no bad SQ.
As for recordings, I would recommend Kodaly on Naxos, but the latest releases on Brilliant with the Buchbergers are fantastic too, and much cheaper.
Excellent sound and stunning performances. They are somewhat fresher in approch, and played faster in general.

[Handel]

Discovering Haydn's string quartets for the first time.  Starting off with sampling Naxos Kodaly Quartet, the Opus 76.  This is terrific stuff!!!   

I would like some recommendations for which are Haydn's best string quartets (perhaps 10-20), and some great recordings.  I only have the Seven Last Words of Christ arranged for String Quartet in my collection, by the Emerson SQ.  Love it!

To me, both op. 20 and op. 76 are the best Haydn composed.