Search - Franz Joseph Haydn, Gordan Nikolic, Gordan Nicolic :: Joseph Haydn: Sinfonia Concertante, Military Symphony, L'Isola Disabitata Overture [SACD]

Delightful period readings, with all the high spirits of Bee

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 05/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If the Netherlands Chamber Orch. and their conductor Gordan Nikolic are any proof, the spirit of Thomas Beecham is alive in Haydn. He made Haydn's music sound humane, in perpetual good humor, and captivating. All those phrases apply to these performances, particularly of the wonderful Sinfonia concertante. I keep my eyes out for outstanding performances of this little masterpiece, and as of today the Nikolic CD supplants all my older ones. The "Military" Sym. #100 exhibits the same brio and dash. The 'Turkish' battery is played for all its worth in the slow movement.



Even if you are slightly phobic about period practice, this ensemble plays so well and Nikolic is so musical that I think you will be agreeably surprised."