Search - Franz Joseph Haydn, Bela Drahos, Budapest Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia :: Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 70, 71 & 73 "La Chasse"

Fine Symphonies and a Good Bargain

04/25/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"While the symphonies that fall into the 70's in the Haydn catalog are often unflatteringly compared to the Sturm and Drang symphonies that came before and the even greater Paris Symphonies that follow, they really shouldn't be neglected by Haydn lovers. Of the three symphonies on the current disc, the third is the most familiar, being a "named" symphony whose moniker "La Chasse" is suggested by the horn-calls, rambunctiousness, and overall rusticity of the last movement. (Haydn cribbed the music from the overture to his opera "La Fedelta premiata," probably thinking it too good to languish in an opera that wouldn't get much of a hearing beyond Esterhaza.) But the other symphonies have good things too: Symphony No. 70 has a marvellous first movement that looks forward most definitely to the Haydn of the Paris and London Symphonies. And Symphony No. 71 is an altogether more intimate and charming work than its companions, recalling the sauve master of the wonderful Symphony No. 88. Its last movement sounds very much like Franz's younger brother Michael in one of his wittier moods and is all the better for it.These performances by Drahos and the Esterhazy Sinfonia, the most reliable forces working on Naxos' Haydn symphony series, are mostly very good. Ensemble and individual instrumental contributions are exemplary, and Drahos catches all of Haydn's fire, wit, and verve most of the time. The letdown for me is the last movement of "La Chasse" (Symphony No. 73), which is surely played too slowly and, except for the less-fully scored music, emerges as leaden footed and dull when it should be all elan. Maybe one bad movement out of twelve isn't a bad batting average, but it's unfortunate that the bad movement is the most famous one here.The 20-bit-process sound is crystal clear and detailed, but the accoustic is a tad churchy for my taste, especially in such impactful music as this. Still, given the quality of Haydn's music, the commitment and skill of the players, and the bargain price, this disc is well worth considering."

Esterhazy is premier musical group in Europe.

H. Hanna | Goleta CA USA | 05/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These pieces dispay an exceptional sound quality, all artistically, musically and with regard to sound, technogically. The inspired playing of this orchestra reminds us of past masters Van Beinem, Furtwangler and Karajan when at their peak with the Philharmonia and Berlin Philharmonic. The technical accuracy, heart and sound of these great Haydn symphonies is nonpareil. And this group is in the forefront of classical music interpretation of Beethoven, Schubert and the other great classical and romantic masters. Every phrase is turned with deep feeling and understanding of this classical repertoire. All the Haydn symphonies by the Esterhazy group are totally thrilling. I recommend them over almost all available disks in print."

Exploring the Haydn Symphonies -- Nos. 70,71, and 73

Robin Friedman | Washington, D.C. United States | 12/13/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The three Haydn symphonies on this CD are mostly joyous and accessible. They were written during a period when Haydn was consolidating his symphonic efforts between the passions of his "storm and stress" compositions and his subsequent "Paris" and "London" symphonies. Haydn developed slowly as a composer, but his works seldom fail to enchant. The detailed program notes by Ian Crew for this CD show the degree of musical skill and knowledge that underlie the smooth surface of these three compositions.



This CD is part of a budget-priced compiliation of the complete Haydn symphonies on Naxos. It is fortunate that there are choices available for Haydn's entire symphonic output. The symphonies on this disk are performed by the Nicholaus Esterhazy Sinfonia under Bela Drahos. Naxos has used a variety of conductors and ensembles in its compilation, but Drahos appears to have won the day. The Naxos compiliation offers an outstanding opportunity for lovers of Haydn or for listeners who wish to explore Haydn symphonies beyond the small number of famous masterworks.



The best-known of the works on this CD is the symphony no. 73 in D major known as "La Chasse", composed in 1782. This symphony opens with an extended, tranquil adagio based upon a pulsing four-note figure that becomes the basis of the following allegro.

The movement is generally in high spirits and features long running scale themes in the upper strings. Haydn based his second movement, andante, on one of his songs, much as Schubert would later base several major works on his songs. The movement consists of a series of variations and concludes in a lively, stirring manner. The third movement is a glittering minuet with a trio featuring the oboe and the bassoon. The finale is a rollicking, joyous movement which includes horn calls, passages for tympany, drones, and a brief passage in the minor key. The movement comes to a large, loud false ending and then proceeds following a horn call to a quiet close. This is a bucolic, pastoral symphony which will not fail to delight.



Haydn composed the symphony no. 70, also in D major, in 1779. This work is notable for the counterpoint Haydn employs in the second and fourth movements. It is the only symphony on this CD that begins without a slow introduction. The first movement begins with a brusque, angular theme which is contrasted with a more lyrical second theme employing much of the same basic material. It is lively and energetic. The second movement bears the unusual marking "Specie D'un Canone in Contrappunto Doppio." It is thinly scored at the outset with winds added as the movement progresses. I find this music austure and disquieting, with the various themes presented in two voices moving against each other. The minuet, in contrast, is vigorous in character with a theme in the strings followed by an echo in the brass. The brief trio again features two competing voices in the strings. The finale, marked allegro con brio, opens with several repeated notes high in the violin. This passage is contrasted with an extended three-part fugue which forms the body of the movement. In this symphony, as in many others, Haydn wore his learning lightly and effectively integrated complex forms into the 18th century classical style.



Haydn's symphony no. 71 in B-flat major dates from 1780. It is the longest work on this CD. This is a symphony which contrasts lively, happy sections with slower themes which sometimes tend to give the music a more somber cast. It opens with a short, slow introduction contrasting the lower and upper strings followed by a melodic, lively allegro. A second theme given to the winds is slower and more reflective in character. The second movement is marked adagio and consists of a theme and four variations. The theme is varied by rhythm, by accompanyment figures, and by instrumentation with the second and the third variations given over to the winds with various string figures underneath. The final variations broadens out substantially and takes the piece into the minor key. The minuet, again, contrasts with the slow movement and is light and graceful with passages for the horn. The trio is a solo dance for two violins over plucked strings. The finale, marked vivace, opens quietly in the strings, followed by a loud passage and a stop. Then there is a mischevous, stacatto theme stated in the winds which comes to dominate the movement. After an episode in the minor, this wind theme returns to bring the work to a happy end.



This CD is for the listener who wants to explore the inexhaustible richness and variety of the Haydn symphonies.



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