Haydn's Haus

[Franco]

I have ordered Glenn Gould's sonatas. I have his Mozart sonatas so I am already a fan

Glenn Gould's Haydn is very interesting.  Today I was listening to 61 and 62 and found that aside from a slow tempo in the 2nd mvt of 61, his interpretation was much fun; less heavy than others.  I later played Brautigam and McCabe for comparison and was struck by how differently Gould approached the 2nd mvt in 61 from both of them (the one real negative for me in his playing), but in general played with more "wit" than either.

Of the three I'd rank them on the ones I heard today, a purely a personal ranking:

61
1. Brautigam
2. Gould (only because of the tempo in 61/ii)
3. McCabe

62:
1. Gould
2. McCabe
3. Brautigam

But I'd give the edge to Gould regarding sound quality.  I find Brautigam's reverbant room less pleasing than a dryer recorded sound.  Gould uses very little pedal and the sound is crisp.

[DarkAngel]

Glenn Gould's Haydn is very interesting.  Today I was listening to 61 and 62 and found that aside from a slow tempo in the 2nd mvt of 61, his interpretation was much fun; less heavy than others.  I later played Brautigam and McCabe for comparison and was struck by how differently Gould approached the 2nd mvt in 61 from both of them (the one real negative for me in his playing), but in general played with more "wit" than either.

Of the three I'd rank them on the ones I heard today, a purely a personal ranking:

61
1. Brautigam
2. Gould (only because of the tempo in 61/ii)
3. McCabe

62:
1. Gould
2. McCabe
3. Brautigam

But I'd give the edge to Gould regarding sound quality.  I find Brautigam's reverbant room less pleasing than a dryer recorded sound.  Gould uses very little pedal and the sound is crisp.

Thanks for those impressions Franco.......
When Gould Cds arrive I will do likewise, going through Jando/Naxos piano set now and the Schornsheim/Capricio set just arrived  

The Gould Mozart sonata set really raises eyebrows because of the extreme tempos variations compared to a "standard" version, but I love them as a challange to convention. Some think this is all foolishness and Gould is mocking the simplicity of Mozart works, others see a wayward genius at work.......

[DarkAngel]

I am ready to apply for lifetime membership at Haydn Haus.............

A tremendous large recent expansion of my Haydn collection has been a complete revelation!
Chamber music recent additions:



I have finished the Van Sweiten Piano Trio boxset, wonder stuff at amazingly low price.......I had no idea it would be this good!

Listened to Mosaique Op. 64, 76, 77 SQ box, a vividly recorded beautiful set. Just began the Buchberger complete box, so far Op 9, 17 are just wonderful and exactly what I had hoped for. Very puzzled with the lack of respect this gets in the Haydn SQ thread

Gurn was right on the mark with his asessment/recommendation of Burchberger/Brilliant boxset of string quartets!

I am 1/2 way throught the set and couldn't be more pleased, these are passionate, bold, dramatic performances with a close listener perspective like you are sitting almost in the group. No booklet but the info CD says members have been playing Haydn SQ for 30+ years
and have long waited to document entire set like this.

I have heard a few comments that they are rough or not prepared, even slack in performance......but I think people are missing the forest by too closely examing individual trees. I am not a professional musician so no comments on if some notes are missed or not in tune etc......I can tell you that the overall effect is very vibrant and eciting, very entertaining.

The Mosaiques/Naive have extremely good sound quality almost holographic 3D presentation, thier style is noticeably different, a more elegant noble style with less raw energy.......very entertaing and satisfying in its own terms. Definitely HIP sound and style but a touch controlled and refined, like playing for the kings court. I prefer the firey passion of Buchberger SQ if I could only have one, sometimes has almost a free wheeling gypsy feel to it  

[SonicMan46]

DarkAngel - agree w/ your comments below - I have the complete Burchberger set in the mail at the moment (along w/ some other alternate recordings) - first bought them in the Op. 9 & 17 sets, and enjoyed hence my 'box' purchase.  The 'nit-picking & micro-dissection' analyzes going on in the Haydn SQ thread is just too much for me - these are outstanding works that can be enjoyed and played in a variety of ways, and I like to have several versions performed differently - just more interesting; of course, the 'versions' that one selects will be a personal decision, but absolutely no need to 'rant' over one person's preference - there will never be a prefect set of all of these works performed to everyone's satisfaction - even if Papa Joe were here to decide, I'm sure that he would have his own preferences - OH, to have heard him play them himself in a quartet - maybe that would help us to decide? 

Gurn was right on the mark with his asessment/recommendation of Burchberger/Brilliant boxset of string quartets!

I am 1/2 way throught the set and couldn't be more pleased, these are passionate, bold, dramatic performances with a close listener perspective like you are sitting almost in the group. No booklet but the info CD says members have been playing Haydn SQ for 30+ years
and have long waited to document entire set like this.

I have heard a few comments that they are rough or not prepared, even slack in performance......but I think people are missing the forest by too closely examing individual trees. I am not a professional musician so no comments on if some notes are missed or not in tune etc......I can tell you that the overall effect is very vibrant and eciting, very entertaining....................

[Gurn Blanston]

DarkAngel,
I am delighted that you are enjoying those recordings. One thing that no one can ever accuse me of is over-analyzing anything; I look for one thing, which is listening enjoyment. And the disks I heard provided that in a big way. Something that always seems to get lost in the shuffle of 'what's the best recording(s)?' is that what's best for one is not necessarily the best for someone else. Thus Que, Antoine and myself are delighted with Festetics, but not so keen on Mosaiques. But there is nothing wrong with QM, it just is someone else's cup of tea, I guess. If they were all I had, I would be damned happy with them.

Dave, our time travel machine will take us back to hear the famous Ditters/Haydn/Mozart/Vanhal 4tet rocking out in 1785. As soon as I get it perfected... maybe time to put the Gurnatron 5500^TM to work on that...

[SonicMan46]

Dave, our time travel machine will take us back to hear the famous Ditters/Haydn/Mozart/Vanhal 4tet rocking out in 1785. As soon as I get it perfected... maybe time to put the Gurnatron 5500^TM to work on that...

Yes, we've talked so much about that famous quartet - I may have even 'dreamed' about being there? 

But, can we travel back to hear them (and of course take a Walkman for Papa Joe to listen to the current SQ recordings that we're debating about?  ) - Dave

[Joe Barron]

Dave, our time travel machine will take us back to hear the famous Ditters/Haydn/Mozart/Vanhal 4tet rocking out in 1785. As soon as I get it perfected... maybe time to put the Gurnatron 5500^TM to work on that...

Count me in. This is no joke: I've often thought that if I could go back in time to any event in music history, that night in Vienna would be the one. Only I thought it was 1784. Set the wayback machine a year earlier, just to be safe. If we're early, we can hang out for a year.

[Gurn Blanston]

Count me in. This is no joke: I've often thought that if I could go back in time to any event in music history, that night in Vienna would be the one. Only I thought it was 1784. Set the wayback machine a year earlier, just to be safe. If we're early, we can hang out for a year.

OK, Sherman, let's suit up! 1784 would be fine with me; so much to see and hear!   

[Antoine Marchand]

More interesting was your review of various "7 Last Words...". Since, of the 4 versions available, after extensive listening I chose exactly the same recordings you did (Savall, Harnoncourt & Brautigam (that's scary! )), I guess I'll have to give the Leipzig group a try in the string quartet version. Have they done other of Haydn's quartets? I can't recall seeing them around...

Which is your favorite ensemble in the string quartet version, Gurn?

[DarkAngel]

And this

Did anyone take up Harry's challenge and get the complete Baryton 21 CD boxset collection on Brilliant Classics?
I think there are over 100 Baryton trios plus other misc compositions......who has it?

[Gurn Blanston]

Did anyone take up Harry's challenge and get the complete Baryton 21 CD boxset collection on Brilliant Classics?
I think there are over 100 Baryton trios plus other misc compositions......who has it?

I haven't yet, but only because I haven't got the Big Box yet. I'm saving that for the last piece of the puzzle. Meanwhile, I do have all 7 Octets, the quintet, and the disk that is missing in the Big Box (#18 in that box) which is the duos and cassations for 2 barytons. IOW, all the miscellaneous. I've got several disks of trios by others, but it will be a pleasure to finally sit down with the whole thing and have a go. Delightful music.



----------------
Listening to:
Alban Berg Quartet - Debussy Quartet in g for Strings Op 10 4th mvmt

[DarkAngel]

Which is your favorite ensemble in the string quartet version, Gurn?

Perhaps even more insightful what are your top 2-3 versions of Op 17 quartets with brief comment about what are strengths for
each version..........for Gurn or any other member to comment?

Would be interesting to see how other members preferences compare to JL's fine review..........

[SonicMan46]

Jens - thanks for the positive reviews of the London Haydn Quartet's recordings - all the hideous feedback had put me off, but they sound like my kind of thing. Slow in Haydn can be fine, as long as there is enough detail to merit that playlength, and this group seems to deliver something individual.

Sara - I own both the Op. 9 & 17 recordings w/ the London Haydn Quartet, a 'young' group, however, the performances are well done in a more 'mellow' fashion and an enjoyable listen!  The packaging is excellent, i.e. 2 discs in a slim jewel box nicely priced; of course, there are plenty of other options (and interpretation differences) but these recordings are certainly in the competition - 

[greg]

Did anyone take up Harry's challenge and get the complete Baryton 21 CD boxset collection on Brilliant Classics?
I think there are over 100 Baryton trios plus other misc compositions......who has it?

The instrument has a nice sound to it.
There's sound clips here, btw: http://www.haydnbarytontrios.com/

Kind of sounds to me slightly like a lower-pitched version of a nyckelharpa. What'd be awesome is a string section that includes 10 Nyckelharpas and 8 Barytons...

(but it'll never happen  )

[DarkAngel]

OK I see what you mean..........
For just over 2x the price of the 21 CD Baryton boxset you can get the huge 150 CD Haydn Brilliant set which includes the Baryton set 

[SonicMan46]

Did anyone take up Harry's challenge and get the complete Baryton 21 CD boxset collection on Brilliant Classics?
I think there are over 100 Baryton trios plus other misc compositions......who has it?

DarkAngel - a number of us, including myself, have purchased the Baryton Box - 21 CDs, including 126 baryton trios on 17 discs, and 4 additional discs of cassations, duets, & octets - I had a about a half dozen of these works on previous recordings, but wanted more, so this box seemed to be the best choice (bought last year on release) - keep in mind that Brilliant makes these releases which may have a 'brief existence' - thus, if you are interested, make a purchase quickly.  All that have this box in the forum have been quite pleased as far as I remember - 

[Antoine Marchand]

Perhaps even more insightful what are your top 2-3 versions of Op 17 quartets with brief comment about what are strengths for
each version..........for Gurn or any other member to comment?

Would be interesting to see how other members preferences compare to JL's fine review..........

Oh, dear DarkAngel IMO the string quartet version of The Seven Last Words is very interesting. I have five different recordings of that work and only two complete Op. 17.  

P.S.: Six... I forgot the Buchberger Quartet.

[DavidW]

OK I see what you mean..........
For just over 2x the price of the 21 CD Baryton boxset you can get the huge 150 CD Haydn Brilliant set which includes the Baryton set 

That's what I have.

[Opus106]

There's sound clips here, btw: http://www.haydnbarytontrios.com/

Most of the works are in A, D, or G major. And no minor scale works -- these were clearly meant for dinner music.

[DarkAngel]

Oh, dear DarkAngel IMO the string quartet version of The Seven Last Words is very interesting. I have five different recordings of that work and only two complete Op. 17.  

P.S.: Six... I forgot the Buchberger Quartet.

Antoine I have been very pleased recently buying many items you feature in your posts, keep up the great recommendations and I will be sure and check them out......the people in Haydn Haus thread have recently cost me a small fortune