Recommended With Enthusiasm
Robin Dalziell | West leederville, Western Australia Australia | 03/17/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Kuijken's various recordings of Haydn symphonies are first rate. This set of 'London' symphonies is every bit as good, if not more so.
Haydn has had to wear the patronising tag 'Papa Haydn' for too long. His life definitely had many 'downs' as well as 'ups'.In fact, he was asked how it was possible for a person to write so many pieces of music of such joyfulness. He replied that creating such music was often the only source of joy in his life.
Indeed the 12 'London' symphonies abound with not only beauty and grace, but also with bravado and power. And let us not forget that Haydn, far being in the shadow of Mozart, was a master at the symphonic form, and served as the most influential model for Beethoven.
Kuijken and La Petit Band produced glorious sounds which the remastered recording amply does justice to.
Bruggen, in his Phllips recording,in another period instrument performance simply can't match Kuijken. Hickox on Chandos is a non-starter - suprising when he has recorded some great versions of Haydn's masterful late masses.
Modern instrument sets, such as Colin Davis's and Eugen Jochum are both quite special. However there are very many wonderful insights that a period band can bring out - timpani,brass and horns. The strings are not astringent, but glowing. Simply stunning playing in all departments!
Having heard some installments from the new 'Wunderkinde' Thomas Fey, Kuijken has nothing to fear. The 'London' symphonies on Fey's are coupled with different ones, Kuijken's has a great price advantage and well filled discs.
Go for it, you'll not be disappointed.
Please note that this set was remastered in Japan and the booklet notes are in Japanese with no English translation."
What a delight!
Punto | 12/30/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After Kuijkens excellent recordings of Haydn's Paris Symphonies, now all the London Symphonies are released together. What a joy to listen to these wonderful Symphonies in Kuijken's readings! The orchestra (playing on period instruments) is at its best with a wonderful transparent and yet rich and powerful sound texture, accurate articulations and a wide range of dynamics. Brillant winds and silky strings. Kuijken gets everything right in this recordings: Haydn's innocence, his humour, his surprises, his lovelyness and roughness. The recordings from 1992-1995 were recently remastered and the sound quality is simply superb. What more to say... just listen and be delighted!"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1