Search - Franz Joseph Haydn, George Szell, Cleveland Orchestra :: Haydn: Early London Symphonies

Haydn interpretation at its best

Ivor E. Zetler | Sydney Australia | 06/23/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My usual benchmark interpretation of the Haydn London symphonies has been the Colin Davis set on Phillips. This Szell issue of the earlier works can easily join Davis at the top of the list. Contrary to his serious and severe reputation, Szell perfectly captures the wit, swagger and charm of Haydn's late masterpieces. Everything in these performances sounds natural and correct. An additional joy is that the sound, though lacking the warmth of the Concertgebouw sonics, is clear and detailed. An essential purchase for Haydn lovers."

Most of Szell's Haydn in best sound and a bargain to boot

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 05/20/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"On George Szell's first concert with the NBC Symphony in 1941, he programmed the Haydn Sym. 97, and for the rest of his life the ghost of Toscanini hung over his interpretations. Szell was never as driven or brisk as the Maestro could be in Haydn, but here we have generally objective, clinically precise readings that rarely allow for much personal expression; however, Szell does let the music breathe, thankfully. He wasn't in the habit of smiling and neither does his Haydn, which I find a fatal flaw. On the other hand, the Gramophone called several of these recordings, mostly from the late Sixties but dating as far back as 1957, irresistible and indispensable.



Szell recorded ten Haydn symphonies in all. What's missing from this set of early London symphonies are Sym. 88, 92, 99, and 104, for those who want to be completists. The sound is natural, clear, and beautiful, no mater what date the recording. The Cleveland Orch. sounds relaxed and plays impeccably. The slow movements tend to be fairly fast, in the modern style, and the Minuets light-footed. Beecham's Haydn laughs and dances with more good humor, but he was old-fashioned enough to prefer a slower pace in both kinds of movements, and his Minuets could land with a heavy tread.



In any event, this isn't my idea of indispensable Haydn -- I get bored with such antiseptic perfection -- but countless critics and reviewers have celebrated Szell's approach over the years."

Szell's Haydn - A Real Treat

Mark E. Stenroos | Laguna Niguel, CA | 10/24/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This release makes a number of things obvious: that George Szell was great conductor, that the Cleveland Orchestra under his bâton was a great classical orchestra...and that the world would be a MUCH better place if Haydn were played more often!



The sound on this set is superb. The music needs no apology. I listened to these discs all the way through, and then listened to them again. The discs then went into the car CD player where I listened to them a couple of additional times (and, I must say that this is perfect music to have on the car player as one makes their way down the Pacific Coast Highway in the Laguna Beach area, at least if you want to hear something besides The Beach Boys).



I'd put this set in the "grab it while it's available" category. For some reason it's the really great classical recordings that seem to have a short shelf life in today's spoiled-for-choice market, and this is a great recording by any measure.



Bravo, Haydn!"