Search - Haydn, Slatkin, Pao :: London Symphonies 4

Surprisingly Good Haydn

Paul H. Goldstein | California | 02/09/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Leonard Slatkin leads the Philharmonia Orchestra in surprisingly good performances of these three Haydn symphonies. Why surprising? Because Slatkin has not generally demonstrated a flair for the classic-era symphony. The solo work - very important always in Haydn, of course, but especially so in works such as the under-appreciated Symphony No. 95 - is first-rate throughout. And Slatkin comes through with some droll, understated humor where appropriate (indeed, necessary in any Haydn).



There is one very important thing that you need to know about this recording: it is mastered at an extremely low level. If you play it back at your normal volume setting, you'll think it's dull as dishwater. Crank up the volume about 50 percent above normal, and all of a sudden the excellence of the Andrew Keener production will be apparent."