Haydn Symphonies , which ones?

Start with the London Symphonies (93-104), then move to the Paris Symphonies (82-87), then the symphonies between those two groups, then the Sturm und Drang Symphonies (44-49). There are many sets that lump the big groups together.

After exploring those consider a handful of others, especially 6-8 and 22. Of course, you can just get a box of all the symphonies, and then you can judge which ones you prefer.

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The London symphonies are very special. Of the sets I own, the one I love most is Jochum's (with the LPO, though it also has a couple of duplicates and a recording of 88 with some other orchestras). He does something very special indeed and the way the minuet becomes the key to each work is unlike anything else I've heard. Available as a reasonably priced 5 disc set on DG's Collectors Edition label.

Bernstein is rather special in Haydn too. He brings a sheer joy and exuberance to the music. Colin Davis's set with the Concertgebouw is also well regarded, but it is to Jochum that I keep returning.

regards, Tam

I own four complete sets of the London symphonies:

1. Dorati/Decca
2. Davis/Philips
3. Jochum/DG
4. Beecham/EMI

Love them all but my fave is the Jochum.

quote:

Originally posted by Tam:
The London symphonies are very special. Of the sets I own, the one I love most is Jochum's (with the LPO, though it also has a couple of duplicates and a recording of 88 with some other orchestras). He does something very special indeed and the way the minuet becomes the key to each work is unlike anything else I've heard. Available as a reasonably priced 5 disc set on DG's Collectors Edition label.

Bernstein is rather special in Haydn too. He brings a sheer joy and exuberance to the music. Colin Davis's set with the Concertgebouw is also well regarded, but it is to Jochum that I keep returning.

regards, Tam

yeah...great records

Dear Seanbeer,

Todd has it just right. These later works are just about my favourite orchestral pieces.

If you want to start with just one, then may I put a plug in for 88 in G. But if you are going for a whole lot of discs, I think you have at aleast as much sense above in all those posts as you might consider I am writing. To add to the list of recomendable versions I also have the sets on Nimbus with the Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orshestra [an ad hoc band drawn from the VPO and Hugarian State Orchestras] under Adam Fischer. These may be expensive, but serve the music very well, and the Eastern European style is entirely appropriate as well.

My favourite classical symphonies...

ATB from Fredrik

quote:

These may be expensive...

The Adam Fischer set has been reissued on Brilliant at 58p a symphony. An unmissable bargain: listen to a different one before dinner every day.

This might be an appropriate thread to ask about Derek Solomons uncompleted Haydn symphony set. This is really a question for vinyl collectors because I believe only one CD of three symphonies ever appeared.

I've managed to collect six box sets (3 lps each. 1st 2 boxes on SAGA and rest on CBS)and I'm becoming convinced that there aren't any more despite one of them being "volume 11". Does anyone know for sure how many volumes were issued? I've drawn a complete blank on all the usual sources.

This set is very good for the earlier symphonies. It's a great pity he couldn't complete them.

I found that Dutton Vocalion have finally issued - issued for the very first time - the legendary recording of Haydn's 88 in G Major with the Halle under Sir John Birbirolli.

I don't expect anyone to go chasing after this CD on my say so, but I shall be getting it as soon as circumstances allow. Barbirolli was fantastic at Haydn, and one of his very first records in the electric process in 1928 was the London Symphony, long before his readings of VW's London Symphony became legendary.

The reason that HMV never released the Barbirolli reading of 88 was that there was no coupling, apparently. Sounds amazing that this could be the case nowadays, but I would guess that the economics of the mid-fifties would not allow for it...

I shall report back on this! Fredrik

It might even be stereo, but in 1956 [?] not all recordings produced a complete stereo tape. The mono of the day is very fine.

Apart from the 88 in G the other two The Hen, and Miracle Symphonies. All great stuff, though the other recordings are older, but still 50s tape I think.

Look three down for the Haydn issue.

ATB from Fredrik