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V1 London Syms [Import]

Franz Joseph Haydn (Artist) | Format: Audio CD
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
Price: CDN$ 18.81 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over CDN$ 25. Details
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Product Details
Disc: 1
1. Symphony In C Minor, Hob. I:95: 1. Allegro moderato
2. Symphony In C Minor, Hob. I:95: 2. Andante
3. Symphony In C Minor, Hob. I:95: 3. Menuetto
4. Symphony In C Minor, Hob. I:95: 4. Finale. Vivace
5. Symphony In B Flat, Hob. I:98: 1. Adagio - Allegro
6. Symphony In B Flat, Hob. I:98: 2. Adagio
7. Symphony In B Flat, Hob. I:98: 3. Menuetto. Allegro
8. Symphony In B Flat, Hob. I:98: 4. Finale. Presto
9. Symphony In D, Hob. I:104: 1. Adagio - Allegro
10. Symphony In D, Hob. I:104: 2. Andante
See all 12 tracks on this disc
Disc: 2
1. Symphony In D, Hob. I:96: 1. Adagio - Allegro
2. Symphony In D, Hob. I:96: 2. Andante
3. Symphony In D, Hob. I:96: 3. Menuetto. Allegretto
4. Symphony In D, Hob. I:96: 4. Finale. Vivace assai
5. Symphony In B Flat, Hob. I:102: 1. Largo - Vivace
6. Symphony In B Flat, Hob. I:102: 2. Adagio
7. Symphony In B Flat, Hob. I:102: 3. Menuetto, Allegro
8. Symphony In B Flat, Hob. I:102: 4. Finale, Presto
9. Symphony In E Flat, Hob. I:103: 1. Adagio - Allegro con sirito
10. Symphony In E Flat, Hob. I:103: 2. Andante piu tosto allegretto
See all 12 tracks on this disc

Product Description

Amazon.ca

Someone once commented on the "sulphurous devilishness" of Haydn's surprises in the London symphonies. But it should come as no surprise that one of the best recordings of these works is from Sir Colin Davis, whose accounts with the Concertgebouw Orchestra stand among the most exalted phonographic accomplishments of recent years. There is a Beechamesque quality to these readings, and when it comes to Haydn, that is praise indeed. They are exceptionally personable, characterful, likable interpretations, with wit, warmth, and life in every measure. All 12 symphonies are wonderfully played and very well recorded. At full price, these recordings would be a top choice; as midprice offerings, three symphonies to a disc (averaging more than 75 minutes of music each), they're a steal. --Ted Libbey

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Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
10 reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
Most helpful customer reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars As perfect - and as flavorless - as distilled water May 11 2002
By Stan Vernooy
Format:Audio CD
Despite the reputation of this set (and its companion Vol. 2) as the "definitive" set of London Symphonies, I dissent. Davis obviously thought carefully about each symphony. The balances are perfect. Each voice, each melodic line, shines through effortlessly. Everything Haydn wrote is audibly there: nothing is obnoxiously overdone, nothing is swept under a rug. The Concertgebouw Orchestra, as always, is in top form as perhaps the best symphony orchestra in the world.

But where is the joy? Where is the love? Where is the humor? Where is the personality? Haydn composed music of warmth and humanity. None of those qualities are present in these recordings. It's hard to believe that music so quintessentially human, could ever sound as faceless as Davis makes it sound in these performances.

Davis has an unfortunate ability to push the music too fast, as he does in some of the movements of these symphonies, without sounding urgent or passionate about it. Szell or Toscanini were fast conductors, but when they went fast it sounded as though the music was being urged on by a furious and passionate heart. When Davis goes fast, it sounds as if he wants to get the whole thing over with so he can go home and watch Wheel of Fortune.

It's true that music from the classical era is not conducive to performances of roaring passion and heart-on-the-sleeve romanticism, as if it were Beethoven or Schumann. But Davis, and the reviewers, make a huge mistake when they assume that "no romanticism" equals "no feeling". As I said in the one-line synopsis, these performances are like distilled water: no impurities, and no flavor. I bought both volumes of this set, listened to them once, and probably will never listen to them again.

Alternatives? By far the first recommendation is Beecham, although the sound of his recordings is hissy, and all of his recordings are not always available. But it's hard to imagine Davis himself listening to Beecham's performances next to his own, without being embarrassed. Szell recorded a few of these, most of them excellent, and his 93 is particularly good. Personally I think I'll stick with Fischer as the best combination of sound and performance, and I also like Jochum's performances. And unless you have trouble distinguishing between music as a joyful human experience and music as a museum exhibit, for heaven's sake stay away from the "original instruments" recordings!

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars This (&Vol 2) is one of the greatest bargains in all music! Mar 14 2000
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
Franz Joseph Haydn is one of the handful of the very greatest composers, a peer of Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach; yet unlike those three other giants, his works are relatively little-known to the broader listening public. Yet Mozart himself, when someone cast a disparaging remark at Haydn, furiously said, "Sir, you and I combined would not equal one Haydn!" This two-disc set, with its companion duo-set, contains all twelve of Haydn's magnificent London Symphonies, written for his two London sojourns in the 1790s. And the performances by the Concertgebouw under the great Sir Colin Davis are equally magnificent! Rich, witty, incisive, with a goodhearted yet mordant wit, and underlying all, Haydn's warmth and humanity and inexhaustible invention. The sound is rich but never overblown; "Period" performance mavens might object, but I think Haydn himself would endorse these versions! Volume One contains, amongst the more famous of the twelve, the "London" Symphony, no. 104, with its delightful folklike finale; the "Miracle" Symphony, and a wonderful, rich performance of the "Drumroll" symphony with its eloquent slow movement. This, and its companions, are Four Discs of Bliss! And at midprice for TWO discs, one can't beat the value! A wonderful introduction to a GREAT composer!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars GOOD, BUT! July 14 2004
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
This set is good of course, but if you are looking for great performances for EACH of Haydn's 12 London symphony, you may want to buy individual discs. Here is my collection of the 12 'London' Masterpieces.

Symphony 93: Goodman/Hanover Band (Hyperion 66532)
Symphony 94: Monteux/Vienna Phil (Decca 452893-2)
Symphony 95: Britten/ECO (BBC 8008)
Symphony 96: Harnoncourt/Concg. Orchestra (Teldec/Warner 21337-2)
Symphony 97: Szell/Cleveland (Sony 67175)
Symphony 98: Jochum/LPO (DG 437 201-2)
Symphony 99: Davis/Concg. Orchestra (Phillips 442 614-2)
Symphony 100: Walter/Columbia (Sony 64485)
Symphony 101: Mackerras/St. Luke's (Telarc)
Symphony 102: Dorati/Philharmonia Hungarica (Decca 452 259-2)
Symphony 103: Kuijken/La Petite Bande (DHM 77362)
Symphony 104: Hickox/Collegium Musicum 90 (Chandos 0655)

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Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Thrill of Playing/Listening to Great Symphonic Composure
Imagine the thrill of Haydn finally hearing his work played the outstanding orchestra of Salomon in London, and for these musicians? Read more
Published on May 17 2003 by rodboomboom
5.0 out of 5 stars Marvellous!!!
I bought both Vol I and II. I personally find that it is a great CD produced by Philips. It is well recorded (in term of sound quality). Sir Colin Davis has done a good job. Read more
Published on May 27 2002 by Marcus
4.0 out of 5 stars Haydn does it again!
Anyone acquainted with the music of Franz Joseph Haydn is aware of the prestigious position these symphonies hold in his vast output. Read more
Published on Oct 28 2001 by jwalzer
5.0 out of 5 stars The Definitive Recordings of Haydn's Late Symphonies: Part I
These critically acclaimed recordings are regarded in the Penguin Guide and Grammophone's Guide to Classical CDs, as the best of Haydn's "London" symphonies. Read more
Published on Jun 2 2001 by John Kwok
5.0 out of 5 stars A feat of intelligent directing
This is an exceptional collection. Recorded two decades ago it is still over all the best set of Haydn's London Symphonies. Read more
Published on Mar 14 2001 by "danielinyaracuy"
4.0 out of 5 stars Not Unrivalled
Sir Colin Davis's is currently the best complete set of Haydn's London Symphonies. It does not follow that his reading of any given symphony in the set is unrivalled. Read more
Published on May 7 2000 by Mark Amorose
5.0 out of 5 stars Volume 1 of Haydn�s great "London" symphonies
Franz Joseph Haydn was the musical colossus of Europe in the second half of the eighteenth century (at least until Mozart and Beethoven came along), although he didn't realize his... Read more
Published on May 6 2000 by Mike Powers
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