Orchestral Excellence
Frank A. Stephenson | Phoenix | 01/22/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If there is a star performer on this CD, it has to be the Philharmonia Orchestra of London. Although individual artists are listed - Matthias Feile, Cello; John ANderson, Oboe; and Nicholas Whiting, Violin - the composer, Franz Joseph Haydn, had other ideas regarding solo standouts, making it difficult to strongly identify these individual contributions. But who cares? The orchestra stands out as the star. You know how it always seems there is at least one track you would rather skip and move on to others you enjoy more? There's always at least one, right? Not here; from Adagio: Allegro Con Spirito and Andante Piu Tosto Allegro all the way to the Finale: Presto, it's simply excellent. Haydn's Symphonies 103, 96, and 102 (in that order), never sounded better."