Search - Franz Joseph Haydn, Adam Fischer, Eckhard Seifert :: Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 40-54 [Box Set]

This man's (Haydn's) fecundity was breathtaking!

Stan Vernooy | Henderson, NV | 11/13/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For some reason, many music lovers seem to think that Haydn's first worthwhile Symphony was #94. Well, I haven't heard them all yet (although I've heard at least half of them), but I can happily verify that the variety and consistent excellence of the entire series of 104 symphonies - including the first 93 - have no equal anywhere in all of music literature; - that's right, ANYWHERE, including the Mozart in comparison to whom Haydn is often unfairly disparaged. Mozart composed 40 symphonies (#37 isn't his), but the first 20 are almost never performed because they're simply forgettable.



Not so with Haydn. I won't claim that all 15 symphonies in this collection are masterpieces, but several of them are, and NONE of them are duds. How this man managed to maintain his flow of wonderful musical ideas, decade after decade, is one of the most remarkable mysteries in the history of human achievement. Remember, in addition to 104 symphonies, he produced what is arguably the largest collection of truly outstanding chamber music by any composer in history, including INVENTING the string quartet as we know it today. In his spare time, he composed what is still today probably the best concerto for trumpet and orchestra ever written, as well as the magnificent oratorio "The Creation" and other works of consistent excellence, too numerous to mention. Why, oh why, when the discussion turns to "Who was the greatest composer of all time?", does the conversation center exclusively around Beethoven, Bach, and Mozart (with a few people parading their avant-garde credentials by advocating Stravinsky's consistently ugly "music")? Haydn does not take a back seat to any of those people.



With regard to the specific works and performances on these CD's, you are unlikely to ever do better than this set. The sound is very fine, if lacking in the latest word in brilliance that you can sometimes get on the very latest state-of-the-art recordings. Fischer obviously loves these works, and the orchestra plays with warmth and enthusiasm.



Get this set now! There is a distressing (I would actually use the word "sickening") trend toward recording any piece composed prior to Beethoven on those indescribably ugly "original instruments" that are all the rage now. In the future you might find it difficult to get recordings of these works performed on listenable instruments. So buy it!"

Worth acquiring at any price

Johnson Lee | Irvine, CA USA | 02/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Some say Haydn's ingenuity is even greater than that of Mozart's or Beethoven's. When listening to this brilliantly played set, I find myself becoming a convert of the belief. Haydn experimented with a variety of musical tools in these works. Surprising twists and turns are abundant. You will hear chamber serenade, harpsichord run, or violin solo in the most unexpected spots. Instruments are sometimes played in very unconventional ways resulting in exotic sounds - similar to what Berlioz and Mahler did later. Structure is toyed with in many symphonies, especially in the early ones.



In Austro-Hungrarian Orchestra, Adam Fischer finds an all-in chef's toolkit needed to cook these delightful ingredients. The woodwinds not only sing but also coo and meow. Strings melt your heart to a puddle with their exquisite pianissimo. Horns are expressive yet stylish. The whole orchestra knows how to knock themselves out when the music calls for it. The overall timbre is unlike any other orchestra I've ever heard, period or conventional. It's bright, edgy and folksy at the same time. It sounds like a virtuosic chamber ensemble rather than an orchestra except in the big symphonies. I believe the closest thing to their sound is Vienna Philharmonic playing Johann Strauss waltzes. Throw in a hint of gypsy flavor then it would be even closer.



Because this is a massive 33-CD set, there are inevitably a few imperfections. In a handful of spots the strings are not perfectly together. Adding to this, some of the violins have very distinctive tones which don't blend well with others when the music gets energetic. As to the engineering, some of the symphonies recorded early in the cycle are captured with too much reverberation, especially some London symphonies which sound soft-edged. But let me assure you the vast majority of the 100 plus symphonies have been recorded with crystal-clear brilliance.



One may find more sophisticated and smooth playing in some conventional performances (Colin Davis and Jochum) or crisper articulations in some period recordings (Bruggen and Pinnock). But Fischer and his hand-picked orchestra deliver more character and expressiveness than in any Haydn performances I've ever heard. Harnoncourt comes close but Fischer's set has more smiles. And his orchestra has the devilish ability to accommodate any mood Haydn's score throws at them - whether it's charm, wit, panache, or pathos. Their playing in slow movements is simply inimitable.



This set will be the source of joy for many Haydn lovers whether they are beginners just opening up the treasure chest or seasoned collectors with many other Haydn CDs. According to others' opinions, it compares favorably to Dorati's box, the only other complete set which I have not heard.



One final point - I wrote the review without the consideration of the price. In other words, this set is worth acquiring at any price.

"

Great performances with great acoustics

songbear | Ashburn, VA United States | 03/06/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These performances are paced just right and the Haydn Orchestra brings a crispness and vitality to these works I've not heard on other recordings. This is not just another "good for a discount set" kind of collection. These recordings are first rate. I plan on acquiring all the volumes in this set, and the affordable pricing makes that achievable. I hope they tackle the complete Mozart Symphonies next. Highly recommend."