Haydn's Haus

[kyjo]

Can't help on that one (I think there is a thread just on the quartets somewhere), but I have the Angeles (also modern) and they are excellent. This one:
[asin]B007CW2FGG[/asin]

On the symphonies, I would tend to lean towards Fischer. He has the benefit of adopting more modern approaches to some of the movements (thinking here of the menuets) and is in excellent sound. I have doubled a number of symphonies over the years, and though I may find some are better than Fischer, his set (overall) is about as fine as one could wish. A couple things to consider as well: There is a mp3 version of the symphonies for roughly ~$25 on Amazon (where they have been reocrded to 8 CDs, which is what you would get). It could be a way to save money. They are also on the big Haydn box with 150 discs, and could be a better deal.

On the sonatas, I didn't love Hamelin. Jando on Naxos is good, but he does hum at times. I have always wanted to pick up the Brendel, but that can be a more expensive set (and is not complete).

The Naxos masses set, however, is fantastic. I believe it is mostly PI, and I generally prefer modern instrument, but it is so bright sounding and intense that it just doesn't matter. It is absolutely fantastic. It is some of my favorite Haydn (along with the trios by Trio Eisenstadt, cheaply availble for mp3 download if that is preferred to the discs, which are now OOP and rediculously expensive).

Thanks! I've put the Fischer set in my shopping cart. What do members think of Colin Davis' highly acclaimed performances of the London symphonies? I've also heard great things about Jochum's Haydn.

   

[kyjo]

Staying with just the modern A quartets  Angeles and Auryn are superior, both interpretively and sonically. Auryn's hasn't been boxed though. Buying individually will cost a bundle. I did it slowly over two years, piece by piece.

I like Kodaly too. Very civilized if not the last word in excitement.

Sarge

Thanks, Sarge. I've put the Angeles box in my shopping cart. I don't think I would like the Kodaly performances if they are "civilized if not the last word in excitement". I like my music played with fire!

[Sergeant Rock]

I like my music played with fire!

Then really....really!...consider a few recordings by Thomas Fey (hybrid orchestra: modern strings and winds, period brass, horns and timps). Incendiary performances (too hot for some of the wimps in this thread  ) Monkey Greg and I can recommend where to start.

Sarge

[kyjo]

Then really....really!...consider a few recordings by Thomas Fey (hybrid orchestra: modern strings and winds, period brass, horns and timps). Incendiary performances (too hot for some of the wimps in this thread  ) Monkey Greg and I can recommend where to start.

Sarge

That sounds like a great combination! I hate period strings, I'm indifferent about woodwind and brass, but I absolutely love period timpani! I especially love hearing Beethoven played with a nice, crisp period timpani! Thanks so much for the recommendation!

[Sammy]

This has nothing to do with recommendations.  I've been listening to the Op. 20 quartets performed by the Solomon Quartet - still sounds great after all these years, especially those period string instruments.

[DavidW]

Thanks! I've put the Fischer set in my shopping cart. What do members think of Colin Davis' highly acclaimed performances of the London symphonies? I've also heard great things about Jochum's Haydn.

I like the Davis set, that was my introduction to Haydn.  Even working with the RCO (an orchestra I consider more for Romantic era works), he keeps his Haydn swift and nimble.

[DavidW]

Thanks, David. I generally like Hamelin's playing, but I'll keep your opinion in mind.

I like Hamelin too, but not in Haydn.

What do you guys think of these performances of Haydn's masses and oratorios?

     

The first one is period style.

[Opus106]

That sounds like a great combination! I hate period strings, I'm indifferent about woodwind and brass, but I absolutely love period timpani!

I enjoy Norrington's 'London' set a lot, the one with the Stuttgart RSO. Mostly modern instruments, very clear music-making, and crisp timpani.

[mc ukrneal]

I like the Davis set, that was my introduction to Haydn.  Even working with the RCO (an orchestra I consider more for Romantic era works), he keeps his Haydn swift and nimble.

Same here. I still like them too.

[Sergeant Rock]

I enjoy Norrington's 'London' set a lot, the one with the Stuttgart RSO.

Me too. It's the only set of Londons that make me waiver somewhat in my allegiance to Szell/Cleveland.

Sarge

[Dancing Divertimentian]

What do you guys think of these performances of Haydn's masses and oratorios?

I have three discs from Hickox's set and for me anyway they get high marks.

Harnoncourt's masses sound good too but sadly I've ventured no farther than samples. Anyone know them?

[Karl Henning]

Thanks for your helpful posts, guys! I should have mentioned in my first post that I prefer modern instrument performances to period instrument ones.

But, you may find that you do not, in the case of “Papa". (Personally, I find I like some performances, in either mode.)

[Sergeant Rock]

That sounds like a great combination! I hate period strings, I'm indifferent about woodwind and brass, but I absolutely love period timpani! I especially love hearing Beethoven played with a nice, crisp period timpani! Thanks so much for the recommendation!

Start with one of these (I think Monkey Greg would agree with at least some of these recommendations). Fey's about halfway through the cycle. His performances of symphonies numbered in the 50s, 60s and 70s have been the most revelatory to me. The disc with one Paris (82), one Chunnel (88), one London (95) is also fantastic. One caveat: although his strings are modern, they do play, more or less, in a historically informed style.








Sarge

[Sergeant Rock]

Harnoncourt's masses sound good too but sadly I've ventured no farther than samples. Anyone know them?

Harnoncourt's are very intense performances and, as we've discussed previously, big-boned, rugged and "manly" 



If there is a Papa in these Haydn performances, it's a papa Grizzly.


Sarge

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Harnoncourt's are very intense performances and, as we've discussed previously, big-boned, rugged and "manly" 



If there is a Papa in these Haydn performances, it's a papa Grizzly.


Sarge

Ha!! Couldn't ask for more succinctness! Thanks.

[Sergeant Rock]

I am surprised no one has yet mentioned the Hogwood or Goodman recordings of the symphonies.

If you are talking about our recommendations for kyjo, it's because he said he wasn't interested in PI.

I should have mentioned in my first post that I prefer modern instrument performances to period instrument ones.

Sarge

[Opus106]

I am surprised no one has yet mentioned the Hogwood or Goodman recordings of the symphonies.

If it's still available on jpc, Hogwood's largely but not complete symphony cycle is my favorite. 

The first question you have to face is how PI you want to be.
I have both the Fischer and Hogwood sets, but have yet to listen to a note of either one of them. (Hogwood I got from AmazonUK.) There's also Goodman/Hanover Band, which is not complete, and only avaliable as individual issues, some of which are probably now OOP.

Both are on period instrument orchestras...

I should have mentioned in my first post that I prefer modern instrument performances to period instrument ones.

I hate period strings, I'm indifferent about woodwind and brass, but I absolutely love period timpani! I especially love hearing Beethoven played with a nice, crisp period timpani!

[kyjo]

If you are talking about our recommendations for kyjo, it's because he said he wasn't interested in PI.


Sarge

I'm open to all suggestions, but was just saying that I generally prefer MI performances to PI ones.

[Sergeant Rock]

I'm open to all suggestions, but was just saying that I generally prefer MI performances to PI ones.

Then, yes, consider Hogwood and Goodman. Pinnock and Solomons too! 

Sarge

[Karl Henning]

Please don't listen to Hamelin, in Haydn he is excruciatingly bad.

Somehow, I like Hamelin here; but I think it may well be right not to rec him to someone just embarking on the piano solo works.