Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 100 & 104

On this CD:

1. Symphony No. 100 in G major ("Military") H. 1/100
Composed by Franz Joseph Haydn
Performed by Orchestra of the 18th Century
Conducted by Frans Brueggen

2. Symphony No. 104 in D major ("London"), H. 1/104
Composed by Franz Joseph Haydn
Performed by Orchestra of the 18th Century
Conducted by Frans Brueggen

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.

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

General | Classical | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Berlioz: Harold en Italie
Haydn: The 12 London Symphonies
Schumann - The Symphonies / Barenboim, Berlin Staatskapelle
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.

Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 94, 96 & 100 [Australia]

Average customer rating:

Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 94, 96 & 100 [Australia]
Krips , Munchinger , and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
ASIN: B000025UK7
Release Date: 2002-01-28

Tracks:

Symphony No.94 In G Major 'Surprise'
Symphony No.96 In D Major 'The Miracle'
Symphony No.100 In G Major 'Military'

Average customer rating:

Another winner from NAXOS
Good-naturedly humorous but a little superficial
Good Haydn for the Buck

Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 82, 96, 100

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

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Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 45, 48, 102
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 83, 94, 101
Haydn: Symphonies, Vol. 14 (Nos. 97 & 98)
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 45, 94 & 101
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 64, 84 & 90

ASIN: B0000013KT
Release Date: 1993-02-05

Tracks:

Sym No.82 in C, 'The Bear': Vivace Assai
Sym No.82 in C, 'The Bear': Allegretto
Sym No.82 in C, 'The Bear': Menuet
Sym No.82 in C, 'The Bear': Finale: Vivace
Sym No.96 in D, 'The Miracle': Adaigo-Allegro
Sym No.96 in D, 'The Miracle': Andante
Sym No.96 in D, 'The Miracle': Menuetto. Allegretto
Sym No.96 in D, 'The Miracle': Finale: Vivace Assai
Sym No.100 in G, 'Military': Adagio-Allegro
Sym No.100 in G, 'Military': Allegretto
Sym No.100 in G, 'Military': Menuet: Moderato
Sym No.100 in G, 'Military': Finale: Presto

Customer Reviews:

Another winner from NAXOS.......2007-05-18

Phil Goulding, in his fine book, Classical Music The 50 Greatest Composers, made these comments about Telemann: "Telemann was a very prolific composer, with more than 3,000 works to his name." He then goes on to write that it is very difficult to identify by listening to a particular baroque composition the name of the composer, including Bach and, "his music is usually described as intelligent and delightful. Some of us would add boring. He is one of 3 or 4 composers on THE LIST who would be unlisted quickly if these were personal favorites of the author rather than representatives of a research effort. One Telemann concerto grosso a month just about does it for me. For readers who have the same reaction to Telemann, my advice is to....substitute Sergiei Rachmaninoff." (Amen, Mr. Goulding).

Haydn has a lot in common with the prolific Telemann. He wrote over 100 symphonies that take up 33 cds! He is considered the father of the string quartet and these take up 23 cds. His piano sonatas and solo works eat up at least a dozen cds. He also gives Handel a run for the money in the Oratorio department. Plus he wrote concertos, sacred music, and operas. When did this guy ever sleep? It is quite a challenge to listen to all of this music, to become familiar with it, and be able to distinguish one symphony or concerto from another.

Before Rhapsody, my limited exposure to Haydn's music was a couple of Vox 3lp quartet boxes, his London symphonies and his Paris symphonies all on good old vinyl. This still is quite a bit of music, just not the entire behemoth corpus of his works. I was surprised just how much excellent stuff he put out. His early symphonies are pretty good and well worth a listen. To work into familiarity, this music makes great drive time music or weekend background music as you putter around the house.

Rhapsody recently posted Dorati's Paris symphonies and Solti's London Symphonies and I had these to compare to the NAXOS Barry Wordsworth symphonies on this disc. Dorati's are a pioneering work and for analog they sound almost as good as DDD digital. Symphony 82 "the bear" is one of my favorites. It is very regal and majestic. If I am every crowned King of the Forest, I want this music played during the coronation. Wordsworth easily gives the two BIG Names a run for their money. I greatly love the kettle drums on symphony 82's first movement. These are much more prominent with Wordsworth than Dorati.

The playing is very good for all three symphonies and well conducted and the recording quality is great. In other words, this is a typical NAXOS cd! One review stated the acoustics were "echoey." I cannot at all buy into this description The sound is just fine and dandy on my new HK AVR and new JBL speakers. Also, these are not just "educative" recordings to get you familiar with Haydn until you wise up and go out and buy an uppity BIG NAME conductor and orchestral recording. Just relax a little, you do not need to buy a 50 dollar bottle of wine to enjoy this music, nor talk with an accent that indicates your great, great, great, great grandmamma came over on the Mayflower.

NAXOS is wonderful and a true find for those who are into classical music and are primarily listeners, not collectors (who go for big name conductors and orchestras).

Good-naturedly humorous but a little superficial.......2004-10-21

As with his recordings of Mozart symphonies, also made in 1988, Barry Wordsworth has managed to produce a more-than-acceptable sound with modern instruments and a middle-of-the-road performance that starkly sets off the characteristics of Haydn's symphonies, in particular their good-natured humour, without becoming mannered. The three symphonies on this CD were obviously chosen because of their popular nicknames, and in each case there is no difficulty whatsoever in ascertaining how the nicknames originated: there is a rather delightful bear dance in the last movement of Nr. 82; the 'Miracle' was thus named not because of the music but because of nobody being killed or injured after a chandelier fell from the ceiling during a London performance; and the 'Military' is perhaps the most famous of Haydn's symphonies with its second movement including kettle drums, a triangle, cymbals and a bass drum. Of course, there is no subtlety about all this, and my impression of the whole is that Wordsworth wants to present a simple, pleasant, 'straight' Haydn to listeners who, until now, have not been familiar with his music. If you like, this is an educative recording. Perhaps I should add that the acoustics in the empty concert hall are rather 'echoey' and that, 'buried' among the other instruments, I detected some rather mediocre flute playing.

For those who are interested in a less superficial acquaintance with Haydn, I can only recommend turning to the school of 'historical performance practice'. My personal favourites at the moment are the recordings by Sigiswald Kuijken with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment or with his own ensemble La Petite Bande (some on EMI/Virgin, others on BMG/Deutsche Harmonia Mundi).

Good Haydn for the Buck.......2001-02-22

Wouldn't know a "famous symphony" by Hadyn if one bit me in the tail, but I picked this up because my local symphony performed the Military Symphony (#100), and I enjoyed it so much (especially the percussion) that I wanted a copy. The performance of that symphony here is quite good, but I actually prefer the first symphony on this collect, "The Bear". It seems to flow better, and has more memorable themes that I find myself humming in the shower. True classical fans may find this recording a bit thin (always a potential problem with Naxos releases), but most folks will probably enjoy this very much. A bargain at twice the price.

Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 100 "Military" & 103 "Drumroll"

Average customer rating:

Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 100 "Military" & 103 "Drumroll"

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000MGTFFS
Release Date: 2007-02-06

Tracks:

I. Adagio -
Allegro
II. Allegretto
III. Menuet & Trio: Moderato
IV. Finale: Presto
I. Adagio -
Allego Con Spirito
II. Andante Piu Tosto Allegretto
III. Menuetto & Trio
IV. Finale: Allegro Con Spirito

Average customer rating:

Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 104 & 100

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Haydn: Symphony No. 94 'Surprise'; Symphony No. 96 'Miracle'
Symphonies Nos.77 & 76
Joseph Haydn: Symphonies, Volume 4 (1764-65) - The Academy of Ancient Music / Christopher Hogwood
Joseph Haydn: Symphonies, Volume 5 (c. 1765-68) - The Academy of Ancient Music / Christopher Hogwood

ASIN: B00000E2QS
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Average customer rating:

Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 96, 100, 103

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Sym No.100 'Military' In G: I. Adagio-
Sym No.100 'Military' In G: Allegro
Sym No.100 'Military' In G: II. Allegretto
Sym No.100 'Military' In G: III. Menuet. Modedrato-Trio
Sym No.100 'Military' In G: IV. Finale. Presto
Sym No.103 'Drum Roll' In E flat: I. Adagio
Sym No.103 'Drum Roll' In E flat: Allegro Con Spirito
Sym No.103 'Drum Roll' In E flat: II. Andante Piu Tosto Allegretto
Sym No.103 'Drum Roll' In E flat: III. Menuetto/Trio
Sym No.103 'Drum Roll' In E flat: IV. Finale.Allegro Con Spirito
Sym No.96 'Miracle' In D: I. Adagio-Allegro
Sym No.96 'Miracle' In D: II. Andante
Sym No.96 'Miracle' In D: III. Menuetto.Allegretto/Trio
Sym No.96 'Miracle' In D: IV. Finale.Vivace Assai

Average customer rating:

Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 94 & 100
Sanderling , and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Manufacturer: Allegria/Membran
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000C9V48
Release Date: 2006-04-18

Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 100 "Miltary" & 103 "Drum Roll

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Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 100 "Miltary" & 103 "Drum Roll

Manufacturer: Royal Classics
ProductGroup: Classical
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000KE7QXA

Product Description

Re-release of the 1986 EMI recording.