Search - Franz Joseph Haydn, Frans Brüggen, Frans Bruggen :: Haydn: The Paris Symphonies, Nos. 82 - 87 / Brüggen

Spending nearly two and a half hours in Haydn's company, as this set permits, is a great pleasure. And these symphonies offer the unbeatable combination of first-rate Haydn that isn't overfamiliar, as these Paris Symphonies aren't played as often as the later ones. Brüggen's conceptions of the music are light and lively, and the orchestra plays with great transparency, precision, and springy rhythms. Remembering that Haydn delighted in the size of the orchestra he had in Paris, we may find these performances a bit too light. The similar Goodman-Hanover Band recordings on Hyperion, which cost more, have more weight and equally fine musicianship. And don't ever forget Leonard Bernstein's magnificent performances of these or any Haydn Symphonies; he was at his considerable best in this music. Still, even if it doesn't dominate the field, Brüggen's set is highly entertaining. --Leslie Gerber