Title: Haydn: The London Symphonies Nos. 93-104 Artist: Georg Solti Release Date: 2004 Label: Decca Duration: 306:32 Album Type(s): Special essay (music history, styles, etc.) UPC: 028947555124 Genre: Symphony Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 0 Number of Discs/SwapaCD Credits: 4

1. Symphony No. 93 in D major, H. 1/93
   - 1. Adagio - Allegro assai
2. Symphony No. 93 in D major, H. 1/93
   - 2. Adagio ma non troppo
3. Symphony No. 93 in D major, H. 1/93
   - 3. Menuetto. Allegretto
4. Symphony No. 93 in D major, H. 1/93
   - 4. Finale. Presto assai
5. Symphony No. 94 in G major ("Surprise"/"The Drumstroke"/"Mit dem Paukenschlag"), H. 1/94
   - 1. Adagio - Vivace assai
6. Symphony No. 94 in G major ("Surprise"/"The Drumstroke"/"Mit dem Paukenschlag"), H. 1/94
   - 2. Andante
7. Symphony No. 94 in G major ("Surprise"/"The Drumstroke"/"Mit dem Paukenschlag"), H. 1/94
   - 3. Menuet e Trio: Allegro molto
8. Symphony No. 94 in G major ("Surprise"/"The Drumstroke"/"Mit dem Paukenschlag"), H. 1/94
   - 4. Finale: Allegro di molto
9. Symphony No. 101 in D major ("Clock"), H. 1/101
   - 1. Adagio - Presto
10. Symphony No. 101 in D major ("Clock"), H. 1/101
    - 2. Andante
11. Symphony No. 101 in D major ("Clock"), H. 1/101
    - 3. Menuetto e Trio: Allegretto
12. Symphony No. 101 in D major ("Clock"), H. 1/101
    - 4. Finale: Vivace

1. Symphony No. 95 in C minor, H. 1/95
   - 1. Allegro moderato
2. Symphony No. 95 in C minor, H. 1/95
   - 2. Andante cantabile
3. Symphony No. 95 in C minor, H. 1/95
   - 3. Menuet e Trio
4. Symphony No. 95 in C minor, H. 1/95
   - 4. Finale. Vivace
5. Symphony No. 96 in D major ("Miracle"), H. 1/96
   - 1. Adagio - Allegro
6. Symphony No. 96 in D major ("Miracle"), H. 1/96
   - 2. Andante
7. Symphony No. 96 in D major ("Miracle"), H. 1/96
   - 3. Menueto e Trio: Allegretto
8. Symphony No. 96 in D major ("Miracle"), H. 1/96
   - 4. Finale: Vivace
9. Symphony No. 99 in E flat major, H. 1/99
   - 1. Adagio - Vivace assai
10. Symphony No. 99 in E flat major, H. 1/99
    - 2. Adagio
11. Symphony No. 99 in E flat major, H. 1/99
    - 3. Menuetto e Trio: Allegretto
12. Symphony No. 99 in E flat major, H. 1/99
    - 4. Finale: Vivace

1. Symphony No. 97 in C major, H. 1/97
   - 1. Adagio - Vivace
2. Symphony No. 97 in C major, H. 1/97
   - 2. Adagio ma non troppo
3. Symphony No. 97 in C major, H. 1/97
   - 3. Menuetto e Trio: Allegro
4. Symphony No. 97 in C major, H. 1/97
   - 4. Finale: Presto
5. Symphony No. 98 in B flat major, H. 1/98
   - 1. Adagio - Allegro
6. Symphony No. 98 in B flat major, H. 1/98
   - 2. Adagio
7. Symphony No. 98 in B flat major, H. 1/98
   - 3. Menuetto e Trio: Allegro
8. Symphony No. 98 in B flat major, H. 1/98
   - 4. Finale: Presto
9. Symphony No. 103 in E flat major ("Drumroll"), H. 1/103
   - 1. Adagio - Allegro con spirito
10. Symphony No. 103 in E flat major ("Drumroll"), H. 1/103
    - 2. Andante, più tosto allegretto
11. Symphony No. 103 in E flat major ("Drumroll"), H. 1/103
    - 3. Menuetto e Trio
12. Symphony No. 103 in E flat major ("Drumroll"), H. 1/103
    - 4. Finale: Allegro con spirito

1. Symphony No. 100 in G major ("Military") H. 1/100
   - 1. Adagio - Allegro
2. Symphony No. 100 in G major ("Military") H. 1/100
   - 2. Allegretto
3. Symphony No. 100 in G major ("Military") H. 1/100
   - 3. Menuetto e Trio: Moderato
4. Symphony No. 100 in G major ("Military") H. 1/100
   - 4. Finale: Presto
5. Symphony No. 102 in B flat major, H. 1/102
   - 1. Largo - Vivace
6. Symphony No. 102 in B flat major, H. 1/102
   - 2. Adagio
7. Symphony No. 102 in B flat major, H. 1/102
   - 3. Menuetto e Trio: Allegro
8. Symphony No. 102 in B flat major, H. 1/102
   - 4. Finale: Presto
9. Symphony No. 104 in D major ("London"), H. 1/104
   - 1. Adagio - Allegro
10. Symphony No. 104 in D major ("London"), H. 1/104
    - 2. Andante
11. Symphony No. 104 in D major ("London"), H. 1/104
    - 3. Menuetto e Trio: Allegro
12. Symphony No. 104 in D major ("London"), H. 1/104
    - 4. Finale: Spiritoso

Recorded between 1981 and 1992, Sir Georg Solti's mainstream performances with the London Symphony Orchestra of Haydn's 12 "London" Symphonies reappear after a long absence in this four-disc set. As might be expected, the playing is robust and energetic, and the resources of the modern orchestra are amply deployed. These, then, are not period performances, and Solti's interpretations are not especially classical in flavor, for they strongly tend toward Beethoven in bluntness and vigor. Granted, the late symphonies reflect a real change of direction for Haydn, following his employment under Prince Nikolaus Eszterháza, and the new styles he absorbed in the 1790s also influenced Beethoven; so, arguably, Solti's slightly anachronistic presentation can be justified, if the period is considered broadly. However, a little of the LSO's homogenized sound goes a long way, and listeners who like their Haydn shaded with the timbres of original instruments may tire quickly of these readings. The most celebrated symphonies in this set are No. 94, "Surprise"; No. 101, "The Clock"; and, of course, No. 104, "London," but some of the most delightful music is in the underplayed works without nicknames, which deserve equal attention. Just be sure to try other renditions -- perhaps those by Harnoncourt, Mackerras, or the Hanover Band -- for a balanced perspective. ~ Blair Sanderson, All Music Guide

Name Credits Anne Steeb Liner Note Translation Bernd Muller Liner Note Translation Elisabeth Rhodes Liner Note Translation Fabian Watkinson Booklet Editor Georg Solti Cover Design, Conductor H.C. Robbins Landon Liner Notes Jeremy Tilston Art Direction Jim Steere Cover Photo London Philharmonic Orchestra Orchestra Michael Haas Producer Stanley Goodall Engineer