Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 93, 94 "Surprise", 103 "Drumroll" [Import]

Track Listings

1. Adagio-Allegro Assai

2. Largo Cantabile

3. Menuetto And Trio

4. Presto Ma Non Troppo

5. Adagio-Vivace Assai

6. Andante

7. Menuetto And Trio. Allegro Molto

8. Finale. Allegro Di Molto

9. Adagio. Allegro Con Spirito

10. Andante Piu Tosto Allegretto

11. Menuetto

12. Finale. Allegro Con Spirito

Tracks:

Sym. No. 93 in D major: Adagio - Allegro assai - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 93 in D major: Largo cantabile - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 93 in D major: Menuetto & Trio: Allegro - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 93 in D major: Finale: Presto ma non troppo - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 94 in G Major: Adagio - Vivace assai - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 94 in G Major: Andante - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 94 in G Major: Menuet & Trio: Allegro molto - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 94 in G Major: Finale: Allegro di molto - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 95 in C Major: Allegro moderato - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 95 in C Major: Andante - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 95 in C Major: Menuetto & Trio - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 95 in C Major: Final: Vivace - J. Haydn

Tracks:

Sym. No. 96 in D major: Adagio - Allegro - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 96 in D major: Andante - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 96 in D major: Menuetto & Trio: Allegretto - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 96 in D major: Finale: Vivace (assai) - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 97 in C major: Adagio - Vivace - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 97 in C major: Adagio ma non troppo - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 97 in C major: Menuetto & Trio: Allegretto - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 97 in C major: Finale: Presto assai - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 98 in B-flat Major: Adagio - Allegro - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 98 in B-flat Major: Adagio - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 98 in B-flat Major: Menuet & Trio: Allegro - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 98 in B-flat Major: Finale: Presto - J. Haydn

Tracks:

Symphony No. 99 in E-flat Major: Adagio - Vivace assai - J. Haydn
Symphony No. 99 in E-flat Major: Adagio - J. Haydn
Symphony No. 99 in E-flat Major: Menuet & Trio: Allegretto - J. Haydn
Symphony No. 99 in E-flat Major: Finale: Vivace - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 100 in G Major: Adagio - Allegro - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 100 in G Major: Allegretto - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 100 in G Major: Menuet & Trio: Moderato - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 100 in G Major: Finale: Presto - J. Haydn

Tracks:

Sym No. 101 in D Major (Clock): Adagio --Presto - Joseph Haydn
Sym No. 101 in D Major (Clock): Andante - Joseph Haydn
Sym No. 101 in D Major (Clock): Menuet & Trio: Allegretto - Joseph Haydn
Sym No. 101 in D Major (Clock): Finale: Vivace - Joseph Haydn
Sym No. 102 in B-Flat Major (Miracle): Largo - Allegro vivace - Joseph Haydn
Sym No. 102 in B-Flat Major (Miracle): Adagio - Joseph Haydn
Sym No. 102 in B-Flat Major (Miracle): Menuetto & Trio: Allegro - Joseph Haydn
Sym No. 102 in B-Flat Major (Miracle): Finale: Presto - Joseph Haydn

Tracks:

Sym No. 103 in E-Flat Major (Drumroll): Adagio - Allegro con spirito - Joseph Haydn
Sym No. 103 in E-Flat Major (Drumroll): Andante pito allegretto - Joseph Haydn
Sym No. 103 in E-Flat Major (Drumroll): Menuet & Trio - Joseph Haydn
Sym No. 103 in E-Flat Major (Drumroll): Finale: Allegro con spirito - Joseph Haydn
Sym No. 104 in D Major (London): Adagio - Allegro - Joseph Haydn
Sym No. 104 in D Major (London): Andante - Joseph Haydn
Sym No. 104 in D Major (London): Menuetto & Trio: Allegro - Joseph Haydn
Sym No. 104 in D Major (London): Finale: Spiritoso - Joseph Haydn

Customer Reviews:

Worth acquiring at any price........2007-02-23

Some say Haydn's ingenuity is even greater than that of Mozart's or Beethoven's. When listening to this brilliantly played set, I find myself becoming a convert of the belief. Haydn experimented with a variety of musical tools in these works. Surprising twists and turns are abundant. You will hear chamber serenade, harpsichord run, or violin solo in the most unexpected spots. Instruments are sometimes played in very unconventional ways resulting in exotic sounds - similar to what Berlioz and Mahler did later. Structure is toyed with in many symphonies, especially in the early ones.

In Austro-Hungrarian Orchestra, Adam Fischer finds an all-in chef's toolkit needed to cook these delightful ingredients. The woodwinds not only sing but also coo and meow. Strings melt your heart to a puddle with their exquisite pianissimo. Horns are expressive yet stylish. The whole orchestra knows how to knock themselves out when the music calls for it. The overall timbre is unlike any other orchestra I've ever heard, period or conventional. It's bright, edgy and folksy at the same time. It sounds like a virtuosic chamber ensemble rather than an orchestra except in the big symphonies. I believe the closest thing to their sound is Vienna Philharmonic playing Johann Strauss waltzes. Throw in a hint of gypsy flavor then it would be even closer.

Because this is a massive 33-CD set, there are inevitably a few imperfections. In a handful of spots the strings are not perfectly together. Adding to this, some of the violins have very distinctive tones which don't blend well with others when the music gets energetic. As to the engineering, some of the symphonies recorded early in the cycle are captured with too much reverberation, especially some London symphonies which sound soft-edged. But let me assure you the vast majority of the 100 plus symphonies have been recorded with crystal-clear brilliance.

One may find more sophisticated and smooth playing in some conventional performances (Colin Davis and Jochum) or crisper articulations in some period recordings (Bruggen and Pinnock). But Fischer and his hand-picked orchestra deliver more character and expressiveness than in any Haydn performances I've ever heard. Harnoncourt comes close but Fischer's set has more smiles. And his orchestra has the devilish ability to accommodate any mood Haydn's score throws at them - whether it's charm, wit, panache, or pathos. Their playing in slow movements is simply inimitable.

This set will be the source of joy for many Haydn lovers whether they are beginners just opening up the treasure chest or seasoned collectors with many other Haydn CDs. According to others' opinions, it compares favorably to Dorati's box, the only other complete set which I have not heard.

One final point - I wrote the review without the consideration of the price. In other words, this set is worth acquiring at any price.

Very enjoyable.......2002-03-23

I have enjoyed these discs quite a bit. The playing is fabulous, and the conducting is fine. Sometimes the engineering is a little muddy, but not near enough to destroy my pleasure.

For the ultimate London symphonies, I highly recommend Beecham on EMI. No one has matched his charm and wit with the drama. Fischer's recordings are great; Beecham is awesome!

Terrible recordings ruin decent performances........2001-12-11

Overmiked, overmixed recordings that sound very unnatural, wasting their authentic recording venue. Bass is boomy and muddy on some of them. The performances themselves are OK, but generally too slow and relaxed for my tastes. I would recommend the Colin Davis set on Philips instead. It contains warmly-recorded performances, none of which falls short of excellent, and it comes on only 4 discs, which comes out to about the same price as this Fischer set, and you only have to buy 2 at once.

The ones who know it best.......2000-05-16

I suppose it's a tad bit ethnocentric to assume that because Fischer and the Haydn Orchestra are Hungarian they'd be able to play Haydn better than anyone else, but in this case I feel it's true. Aside from having a high level of technical skill, the orchestra puts real verve and life into their performances. (You will never listen to another recording of the "Military" symphony again.) This is coupled with Fischer's flair for the dramatic; endings are rallentandoed appropriately, and each piece shines with the sense that it is being thoroughly interpreted, not just perfunctorily played through. A rather muffled-sounding recording of the "Clock" symphony and some blurriness in the first movement of the "Military" does not detract from the overall greatness of these interpretations. Ethnocentric or not, these players know what they're doing.

A wonderful collection.......2000-03-29

This is an excellent collection of Haydn symphonies. It is the highest numbered volume in an 8 volume set although it is not the last to be produced. Volumes 5 and 2 are forthcoming and will be available in October of 2000 and 2001 respectively. (I contacted the record label to find out...that's how much I enjoy this set) It is a full digital recording and has no discernable technical flaws. The performances are beautifully done. If you are looking for a complete collection of Haydn symphonies - this is one piece of the set I would recommend.

Average customer rating:

Haydn is unthinkable without Beecham

Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 93-98

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Haydn: Symphonies #99-104; Sir Thomas Beecham; Royal Philharmonic
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Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 7; Mass in C
Schubert: Symphonies 5, 6, 8 & 9; Rosamunde Overture

ASIN: B0001RVRG8
Release Date: 2004-08-10

Tracks:

I: Adagio - Allegro Assai
II: Largo Cantabile
III: Menuetto E Trio: Allegro
IV: Finale: Presto Ma Non Troppo
I: Adagio Cantabile - Vivace Assai
II: Andante
III: Menuetto E Trio: Allegro Molto
IV: Finale: Allegro Di Molto
I: Allegro Moderato
II: Andante
III; Menuetto E Trio
IV: Finale: vivace

Tracks:

I: Adagio - Allegro
II: Andante
III: Menuetto E Trio
IV: Finale: Vivace
I: Adagio - Vivace
II: Adagio, Ma Non Troppo
III: Menuetto E Trio: Allegretto
IV: Finale: Presto Assai
I: Adagio - Allegro
II: Adagio Cantabile
III: Menuetto E Trio: Allegro
IV: Finale: Presto

Customer Reviews:

Haydn is unthinkable without Beecham.......2006-09-16

These recordings of the first six London symphonies were recorded in 1957, but even after fifty years they gleam with freshness. Just as Beethoven is unthinkable without Furtwangler, Verdi without Toscanini, and Mahler without Bernstein, Haydn is fused with the name of Beecham. He was near the end when these stereo renditions were made, and some have more vigor than others, but the symphonies remain light, buoyant, and witty. He simply had the magic touch when it came to Haydn's music. As to sonics, they are good enough, but loud passages can shriek a bit, and the Royal Phil. is at times scrappy compared to the best orchestras of today. But their playing is never bored, routine, or slick.

At present this composer is neglected. Unlike Mozart, Haydn's poised classicism doesn't feel deep enough to modern ears; he's never tragic or even conflicted. His music is charmng, balanced, self-assured, and incredibly inventive. That should be enough, but I can think of a host of major conductors who have recorded barely a handful of Haydn symphonies (Walter, Furtwangler, Abbado, Fricsay, Klemperer, etc.) The true devotees include, besides Beecham, Bernstein and Karajan, with Szell adding his good share, about eight symphonies. Bernstein's set of the Paris symphonies stands on a plane with Beechaam's London symphonies. Together, they are must-listens in this delightful music.

Haydn: The London Symphonies Nos. 93-104

Average customer rating:

Clean performances in lovely sound, but that's not enough
The most enjoyable Haydn I own
Romantic Haydn

Haydn: The London Symphonies Nos. 93-104

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Haydn: The 12 London Symphonies
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Mahler: Das Klagend Lied
Mahler - The Symphonies / Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti

ASIN: B0001Y4JHK
Release Date: 2004-10-12

Customer Reviews:

Clean performances in lovely sound, but that's not enough.......2007-04-27

No one should expect the fire-eating Solti when it comes to Haydn. As its often his wont, his driven style becomes quite tame--the same thing happens in Beethoven. Eerything here is cleanly played, and the sound provided by the ?Decca engineers falls gracefully on the ear. The London Phil. has the distinciton of two "London" symphony cycles, this one and another on DG with Eugen Jochum. They play beter for Solti, and his direct, unfussy approach, though semi-anonymous, is preerable to Jochum's plodding dullness and heavy hand.

That said, I never smiled while listening to these readings. There's no depth or humor to be had here, unlike the marvelous Beecham and equally impressive Bernstein. Tempos are moderate throughout, with no surprises in either the fast or slow movements; happily, the Minuets are light-footed. I won't run through each symphony because they all follow the same model---each is precise, respectful, and unexceptionable. For me, that's jsut not enough to make this great music come alive.

The most enjoyable Haydn I own.......2006-07-29

I bought this set with some trepidation, because I had a hard time conceptualizing what Solti's Haydn might be. The fullness, sheer size and gloss of the sound at first struck me as stylistically incorrect, but that impression rapidly faded, and now Solti's Haydn easily eclipses the competing sets I've owned. The overrated Davis set is positively lackluster by comparison, (and contains annoying noises from the musicians). Solti's outer movements are a little faster than Davis', the inner movements a little slower. But this scarcely matters, as every note on these recordings is played with such warm-hearted exhuberance and recorded so brilliantly, each symphony seduces the listener on its own. The recordings are remarkably consistent despite multiple producers and venues over a large span of time. Every recording is very clean and contains no distracting noises even on my in-th-ear headphones. I've got other Haydn by Goodman, Muller-Bruhl, Marriner, Mackerras, La Petite band and others, but this set is the one I listen to the most.

Romantic Haydn.......2005-02-15

I am delighted to see these Solti recordings of The London Symphonies reissued. The London Symphonies have been interpreted in various ways by several different conductors. No one has a definitive interpretation. Each has their own strength and weaknesses. Solti's are big, imposing readings in the Romantic mode yet they catch the spirit of Haydn's wit and joy. While these performances have a firm, weighty tone, they are extemely fleet and nimble. They are never ponderous or heavy-footed. Rather, they are sparkling, vivid; naturally supple interpretations. Sometimes Solti's tempos can be too fast, especially in the 97th. One wishes for a larger bassoon belch in the 93rd. Solti's 95th is unsmiling for the most part. But now I am quibbling. I heartily commend these recordings for your Haydn collection.

Joseph Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 93, 94, 95

Average customer rating:

Joseph Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 93, 94, 95

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 9, 10, 11, 12
Symphonies 70-72

ASIN: B00008JL6P
Release Date: 2003-08-12

Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 93, 94 "Surprise", 103 "Drumroll"

Average customer rating:

Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 93, 94 "Surprise", 103 "Drumroll"

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 6 ("Pastoral") & 8
Sir Thomas Beecham Conducts Schubert

ASIN: B000068VE5
Release Date: 2002-01-01

Tracks:

Adagio-Allegro Assai
Largo Cantabile
Menuetto And Trio
Presto Ma Non Troppo
Adagio-Vivace Assai
Andante
Menuetto And Trio. Allegro Molto
Finale. Allegro Di Molto
Adagio. Allegro Con Spirito
Andante Piu Tosto Allegretto
Menuetto
Finale. Allegro Con Spirito

Haydn: Symphonies Nos 93, 94 'Surprise', 95 (Vol 13) /Hanover Band · Goodman

Average customer rating:

Outstanding!

Haydn: Symphonies Nos 93, 94 'Surprise', 95 (Vol 13) /Hanover Band · Goodman

Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000002ZQH
Release Date: 1994-03-21

Tracks:

Sym No.93 in D: Adagio-Allegro Assai
Sym No.93 in D: Largo Cantabile
Sym No.93 in D: Menuetto: Allegro-Trio
Sym No.93 in D: Finale: Presto Ma Non Troppo
Sym No.94 in G ('Surprise'): Adagio-Vivace Assai
Sym No.94 in G ('Surprise'): Andante
Sym No.94 in G ('Surprise'): Menuet: Allegro Molto-Trio
Sym No.94 in G ('Surprise'): Finale: Allegro Di Molto
Sym No.95 in c: Allegro Moderato
Sym No.95 in c: Andante
Sym No.95 in c: Menuet-Trio - Angela East
Sym No.95 in c: Finale: Vivace

Amazon.com

This ongoing series from the Hanover Band is a wonderful treat, better played than most of the period instrument competition and as convincingly interpreted as any Haydn symphony performances on any instruments. The list of great conductors who have recorded these symphonies may be a long one, but Roy Goodman is among the best. Plus, he has the advantages of the sparkling sound of his ensemble and of Hyperion's superb recording. Though you may know the familiar No. 94, it still has some surprises in this version. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding!.......1999-12-13

This is by far the best recording of Haydn Symphonies I' ve ever heard. Roy Goodman did great job and the sound of the Hanover Band is transparent and bright. This is an "authentic" performance for everyone. Don't miss it.

Average customer rating:

Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 93, 94 "Surprise", 103 "Drumroll"

Manufacturer: Beecham Edition
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00068NVPM
Release Date: 2004-11-23

Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 94 &96 &93 (Import)

Average customer rating:

Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 94 &96 &93 (Import)

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Classical
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000L5JU8M

Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 93, 94 & 95 [Australia]

Average customer rating:

Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 93, 94 & 95 [Australia]
Dorati , and Philharmonia Hungarica
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
ASIN: B00004UPW4
Release Date: 1999-03-29

Tracks:

Symphony No.93 In D Major
Symphony No.94 In G 'Surprise'
Symphony No.95 In C Minor

Franz Joseph Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 93 & 94

Average customer rating:

Haydn, Szell, And Cleveland
Top Notch Haydn

Franz Joseph Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 93 & 94

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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Mozart: Symphony No 40; Symphony No 41 / George Szell / Cleveland Orchestra (CBS Great Performances)

ASIN: B00000DRYM
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Customer Reviews:

Haydn, Szell, And Cleveland.......2006-12-21

In the twenty-four years, from 1946 until his death at age 73 in July 1970, that he was music director, George Szell transformed the Cleveland Orchestra from a provincial musical outfit in a town that nobody took seriously to a world-reknowned powerhouse in the classical music world. One of the ways he did this, even though his methods were often seen as dictatorial, was to emphasize the Viennese classical period as personified by Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, and, in particular, Haydn.

It is Haydn that is the focus of this classic recording, made in the late 1960s for Columbia, of Papa Haydn's first two "London" symphonies--No. 93 In D Major, and No. 94 In G Major, the justifiably-nicknamed "Surprise" symphony. Szell's approach to Haydn, both here and on other recordings of Haydn symphonies that he and the Cleveland Orchestra made, is to be precise but also to bring out the composer's inexhaustible supply of wit (including a truly shocking bassoon "belch" in the Andante of the 93rd Symphony). Like Leonard Bernstein's, Eugen Jochum's, and Sir Colin Davis's recordings of this composer, Szell's is "Big Band" Haydn without the bombast. The fact that this recording is four decades old doesn't diminish the quality, which is enhanced by Sony's remastering. Every detail is bought out, and the genius of Haydn shines through, propelled by Szell's direction and the Cleveland Orchestra's performance.

An essential recording for anyone interested in Haydn or Szell or the great orchestra they have there in northeastern Ohio.

Top Notch Haydn.......2005-08-31

This is Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra at their best in Haydn. While they might lack the bumptious quality of the old Bernstein/NYP recordings, here the playing is lithe, intelligent, and alert. During the 60's and early 70's, Columbia often ruined fine performances with dry amd gritty recorded sound, but this recording is far more listenable than some of Columbia's more egregious examples.

Szell had a reputation for wringing the spontaneity out of an orchestra. (A famous Szell quote: "I want this phrase to sound completely spontaneous--however, as the result of meticulous planning.") But in these performances, he and the Clevelanders find the joy and wit of mature Haydn, something most recordings miss.

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1. Adagio-Allegro Assai
2. Largo Cantabile
3. Menuetto And Trio
4. Presto Ma Non Troppo
5. Adagio-Vivace Assai
6. Andante
7. Menuetto And Trio. Allegro Molto
8. Finale. Allegro Di Molto
9. Adagio. Allegro Con Spirito
10. Andante Piu Tosto Allegretto
11. Menuetto
12. Finale. Allegro Con Spirito