Search - Franz Joseph Haydn, Antal Dorati, Philharmonia Hungarica :: Haydn: The Symphonies

A major milestone in recorded music, stunning achievement

R. Lane | Tracy, CA USA | 03/29/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This complete cycle of the Symphonies of F.J. Haydn heralded a new era in recorded music. Everything about the project was first rate. The sound was among Decca's best. The playing of the little known Philharmonia Hungarica was close to perfect. Dorati's interpretations never disappointed. To top it off, Decca offered the cycle at budget prices and threw in unprecedented notes from H.C. Robbins Landon.



Many would comment "once you've heard one, you've heard them all" when asked about Haydn's vast symphonic output. They could not be more wrong. There isn't a dull symphony or poor performance in the lot. Try such unknowns as #26, or #33, or #51 and #52, to name a few of my lesser known favorites.



Those familiar with Haydn's more well known symphonies, such as the London Symphonies (93-104) were even astonished to find Dorati's performances giving more formidable orchestras and conductors a run for their money.



So what can be said of the set 30 years later?



Everything said earlier still stands, including the original liner notes. Only Graham Johnson's scrupulous notes with his various Hyperion lieder sets surpass Landon's astounding commentary. The digital transfers are from the late 80s, so they are not the best, but still quite serviceable. And the price is still quite reasonable.



Beware, though, that these are not period instruments. Dorati does use "period forces" as much as possible, meaning the number of instruments closely matches what would have been used originally.



So why do I say this set "heralded a new era in recorded music"? Because after the resounding success it enjoyed, many "complete" works projects of similar or greater magnitude got their chance. I doubt we would have any where near the volumes of "complete sets" we now enjoy had it not been for Dorati and Decca's Haydn cycle.



In short, a fabulous set that I would never part with.



"

Self-Recommending

George Grella | Brooklyn | 08/31/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a composer, all of Haydn's symphonies interest me as a matter of course, and so this is a classic and indispensible set. While in the course of 33 cds, one can find many details to quibble over, these performances are consistently dynamic, exciting, vital and affecting. While not in conscious period-performance style, the tempos are in general brisk, the rhythms sharp. Dorati was one of the great conductors, and this is his metier.Obviously, this is a considerable sum of money. But if you're looking at this page, you're already interested, and considering the average cost for CD, it's well worth the money. Go ahead, you'll be pleased for years on end!"

Hallelujah Haydn!

M. B Hazen | Jacksonville, Fla. | 07/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Haydn was a remarkable composer. He has yet to be discovered by most listeners...I mean, REALLY discovered and relished. For after all, as the Kapellmeister to Prince Nicholas Esterhazy for so much of his lifetime, Haydn had to create entertainment for his Prince and his "occasions". So Haydn wrote the music, repaired the instruments, saw to it his musicians were happy, and kept Prince Nicholas totally enthralled. For recreation Haydn would go on a royal hunt, a sport he dearly loved and which shows up in his music. (Most notably his "Hornsignal" Symphony No. 31, his "Hunt" String Quartet, and Oratorio "The Seasons", a remarkable piece.) So, there is a great deal of creativity and cleverness to Haydn, which is illustrated in his symphonies.(Try the "Farewell" Symphony for example, where the diplomat Haydn sought to tell his Prince that his musicians needed a vacation!) Antal Dorati conducts the Philharmonia Hungarica, an orchestra made up of the finest musicians from Hungarian orchestras. I owned this set on LPs, and am lusting after the complete CD collection.
I heartily recommend this set of symphonies by Haydn. The liner notes are excellent, and hopefully, London allowed the producers of the CD to include them. These are delicious discoveries. Also, of course, included are the symphonies Haydn composed after he left the Esterhazy household and went to England.
There are some singular symphonies on the shelves that are also fine renditions of Haydn's symphonies, but rarely do you splurge with a complete set of anything where ALL recordings are first rate. Enjoy! And read up on "Papa" Haydn. He was a remarkable man in his own right! (He even wrote an opera about a man on the moon! Does that tell you something?)"