Franz Joseph Haydn Eugen Jochum Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra - Haydn The 12 London Symphonies +Album Reviews

Graceful and Polished

M. Seeley | Charlotte, NC | 02/15/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When I think of Eugene Jochum the first thing that pops into my mind is Bruckner, not Haydn. These recordings have been in and out of the catalog for years, but at this price, they are a steal! Jochum is a wonderful Haydn interpreter. What you get in this set are light-hearted rhythms, delicate execution, graceful and polished playing, and well-paced performances -- the way Haydn SHOULD be played. The London musicians give the listener the transparency expected when Haydn is performed. The only minor flaw, if there is one, is that some of the Menuettos tend to be a little heavy-footed.

In particular, Jochum's take on Haydn's 101st was a revelation to me. What has been nick-named "The Clock" gets a real racy treatment that grabbed me by the throat. And Jochum never let go! The opening movement is played with attention-grabbing exuberance. The big plus with this set is the jaunty Haydn 88th.

This is another set that the serious Haydn collector ought to have at his disposal."

Classic Haydn Returns

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 01/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With this 5-disc DG "Collectors Edition" boxed set, Eugen Jochum's incredible early-70s performances of Haydn's 12 "London" Symphonies make a welcome return to the catalog. While I will always treasure the recordings I grew up on (Szell's "90s" Symphonies and Bernstein's "100s"), Jochum's accounts are as good as any currently available, including the celebrated ones by Davis and Dorati. Even serious collectors who own the initial CD release of these works will have to take a second look at this new set because of what is contained on its 5th Disc. It features three symphonies -- No. 91 with the Bavarian RSO from 1958, and Nos. 88 & 98 with the Berlin Philharmonic from 1961 & '62 respectively -- which have never been previously available on CD. They were enough for me to spring for an upgrade, and I am really glad I did!"

A Must Buy

M. Seeley | 12/24/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love this set so much I sold my Davis Duo sets to the used shop. This is a must buy for any Haydn fan."

Comparison - Jochum's Set vs. Colin Davis'

Johnson Lee | Irvine, CA USA | 02/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jochum and London Phil deliver the highest level of Haydn playing just like Colin Davis and Concertgebow do. I own both and tried to compare between two.

Jochum adds plenty of personal touches that decidedly grab your attention. You hear poignant romanticism or Beethoven-like roar in many places. Colin Davis, by comparison, lets the music flow naturally and makes it sound more balanced. In his set, you hear more of Concertgebow Orchestra than Colin Davis. I think it's the other way around in Jochum set. Concergebow's sound is more transparent and charmingly light-footed while London Phil sounds fuller and creamier without losing crispness. You get more agility and refinement from Davis set. You get more expressiveness and warmth from Jochum's.

Let me emphasize that all of the good qualities I attributed to either of the sets actually exist in both (they are inherently in Haydn's writing). It's just that some qualities are more apparent in one than the other.

As to the recording, Colin Davis set has more sparkle and vividness. It sounds more modern. Jochum's has a typical old-fashioned analogue sound in a very good way. It has plenty of natural ambience but doesn't sound muddy.

I recommend you buy both of these delightful and affordable sets. I never regretted doing so :-)

"

Surprise......and not just Symphony 94

Andre Gauthier | 11/01/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I should qualify my views by saying I don't find the early instrument approach to Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven or Berlioz to be more satisfying than great performances played by a modern orchestra.

Because of my interest in Jochum I decided to purchase this set of "London Symphonies". I listened to one of my very favorite Haydn works, "the Miracle" symphony, #96 in D. I was struck by the first phrase of the allegro; here was a reading that surpassed the supposed "great master", Szell. Jochum was a bit faster and full of glee as the first and second violins rocked back and forth on an octave in the exposition. I had always thought precision to be the key to these pieces. When I was in college to say otherwise would have been out of the question. I discovered that I had been fooled for YEARS by this misconception.

Its easy to sum up this box set. Via team work and simplicity of approach, Jochum achieves what Haydn must have - sunshine - both at the core of the music AND the music making; the players seem to be having fun. What a lovely way to work. When precision excludes humor in some music all is lost. I can say that another way. Listen to Toscanini conduct Haydn.

When I wake up in a less than happy mood, Jochum's Haydn always makes the coming day better; these performances, treasures all, (pardon this) are a sonic tonic."

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	Franz Joseph Haydn, Eugen Jochum, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra Haydn: The 12 "London" Symphonies [Box Set] Genre: Classical
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