Haydn's Haus

[Brahmsian]

On a side note:  Keep posting in the Haus.....we are nipping at Havergal Brian's heels!! 

[Gurn Blanston]

Hello Haydn fans!

I am listening to this CD at the moment and wanted to share with you my appreciation of this (to me) very fine release:
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I first discovered these symphonies via an old Max Goberman LP and they have remained favorites for many years.

I am considering another set of these works and am looking at Goodman, Hasselbock and the Frieburger Barockorchester.  I've loved everything I've heard from the F.B.O, they're an easy sell to me.  The Goodman interests me, largely because some of what I've read, mentions the prominence of the harpsichord continuo, which interests me as I do like that instrument.  Both the Goodman and the Hasselbock are available cheaply at BRO; another consideration.

Thank you for any advice!

Well, in addition to yours, there are these for your consideration;



If you have a particular favorite band, and it seems you do with Freiburg Baroque, you won't go wrong choosing them. I really like their interpretation, it's frisky and solemn by turns, just as Haydn himself was (in my mind). Very nice performances but then, there is a lot of room for different musical thoughts in such wide-ranging works. I could hardly choose among them, really.

[DavidW]

Okay what are your favorite recordings on period instruments that fill in the gaps of the Hogwood set?

[Gurn Blanston]

Okay what are your favorite recordings on period instruments that fill in the gaps of the Hogwood set?

Well, without going all over the map, I would go with Kuijken for 82-104.

I seem to remember that you can't put together a complete Haydn PI symphony collection. I think 79 and 81 have not been done by anyone on period instruments.

This is true. I use Freiburg Baroque for #80, and I am currently using Fischer for 79 & 81. Best one can do, I'm afraid.

[DavidW]

I seem to remember that you can't put together a complete Haydn PI symphony collection. I think 79 and 81 have not been done by anyone on period instruments.

That's only two symphonies, that doesn't make it pointless to fill in the gaps, one small gap left is better than a huge gaping gap of Haydn's greatest symphonies!

[DavidW]

Thanks Gurn, the Kuijken Londons are hard to come by, but not impossible.

[Gurn Blanston]

Thanks Gurn, the Kuijken Londons are hard to come by, but not impossible.

They're easy if you want to un-ass $75 40 for the Japanese box set. Man that price has come down!! The singles can be a little more challenging, but I got them all 'Like New' for a total of ~$35. Took me 6 months though.   



Ooops, forgot the link!   

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[Gurn Blanston]

No, it is not pointless; I never implied that it was.  Just alerting you to the fact that it is also impossible to form a complete PI Haydn collection.  Which never ceases to bother me.



Gurn's suggestion is the best and easiest option.

Leaves me incredulous whenever I consider it.

I read recently that a concert series in July by La Stagione Frankfurt included the set of 6, 76-81. It is being tossed about that it was recorded, possibly for release on CD. Not holding my breath, but sure would be nice.

[TheGSMoeller]

Wanted to share this in the Haus...

No. 45 "Farewell", perfectly paced from the intense opening to the final violin duet, with again clear and defined sound. High praise to the Horns for smoothly cutting through in the Presto finale with a bright and luminous tone without ever sounding over-blown. AND, they omitted the applause for No. 45, it's a very clever move on behalf of the producers of this set.

Im starting to see a trend with DRD that might answer why some reviews have said his tempos are slow. It seems, and this is based in the 5-6 discs I've listened to so far, that DRD opts for a slower tempo in the opening movements, although this could not be said for his slower mvts (adagios, largo, andante, etc...) which are consistent with a steady walking pace. And the finales are always comparable with most other recordings, fairly standard or close enough in tempo to others .

Still the biggest plus for me is the sound, it could be the best sounding Haydn I've heard regarding  recorded symphonies. Of course the playing of the Stuttgart Chamber is top notch, which mixes well with top sound engineering.

[Brahmsian]

Wanted to share this in the Haus...

Im starting to see a trend with DRD that might answer why some reviews have said his tempos are slow. It seems, and this is based in the 5-6 discs I've listened to so far, that DRD opts for a slower tempo in the opening movements, although this could not be said for his slower mvts (adagios, largo, andante, etc...) which are consistent with a steady walking pace. And the finales are always comparable with most other recordings, fairly standard or close enough in tempo to others .

Still the biggest plus for me is the sound, it could be the best sounding Haydn I've heard regarding  recorded symphonies. Of course the playing of the Stuttgart Chamber is top notch, which mixes well with top sound engineering.

Can't wait to dig in, Greg!     Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this set, thus far.

[Wakefield]

They're easy if you want to un-ass $75 40 for the Japanese box set. Man that price has come down!! The singles can be a little more challenging, but I got them all 'Like New' for a total of ~$35. Took me 6 months though.   



Ooops, forgot the link!   

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Many times I have planned to compare the sound quality of the Japanese release with the original DHM disks, but I haven't done it. I think it would be an interesting exercise.

[Wakefield]

Wanted to share this in the Haus...
Of course the playing of the Stuttgart Chamber is top notch, which mixes well with top sound engineering.

Its violin section is the best that I've heard on modern instruments...

[TheGSMoeller]

Can't wait to dig in, Greg!     Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this set, thus far.

You're welcome, Ray. I have a feeling you'll be pleased with this box set.

Its violin section is the best that I've heard on modern instruments...

Interesting! I'll definitely need to listen to more of their recordings.

[DavidW]

Thanks Greg, I failed to be as careful to think about the tempo of each movement in isolation.  Whenever I'm thinking about "why do people call this slow?" it's when I'm at the finale.

[Brahmsian]

Somewhere Karl posted a pic of his DRD box set arrival. I came home just now late from work to a similar image...

Had mine delivered today, from ImportCDs.  Will open up and spin once I get home from work! 

[TheGSMoeller]

Had mine delivered today, from ImportCDs.  Will open up and spin once I get home from work! 

Yay!  Skip work for it, Ray!

Listened to more of the set this morning. Becoming increasingly convinced that Gordon's comment about the Stuttgart violins might be true.

[Brahmsian]

Yay!  Skip work for it, Ray!

Listened to more of the set this morning. Becoming increasingly convinced that Gordon's comment about the Stuttgart violins might be true.

I'm home now.  Yay!    I'm going to make a 'random list', on the #1 to # 37, and that's how I'll approach exploring all of Haydn's symphonies (for the first time!)

I'm so excited! 

[Karl Henning]

Big welcome for our Ray to da Haus!

[Gurn Blanston]

I'm home now.  Yay!    I'm going to make a 'random list', on the #1 to # 37, and that's how I'll approach exploring all of Haydn's symphonies (for the first time!)

I'm so excited! 

As you should! The acquisition of ones first complete Haydn symphonies is a landmark on anyone's musical adventure. I don't say 'enjoy', it's too trite for the occasion. Rather, soak it up and be elevated.

[DavidW]

As you should! The acquisition of ones first complete Haydn symphonies is a landmark on anyone's musical adventure. I don't say 'enjoy', it's too trite for the occasion. Rather, soak it up and be elevated.

The landmark for me was my first complete string quartet box.