Early London Symphonies

Haydn (Artist), Szell (Artist), Cleveland Orchestra (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 14, 1991)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000026YS
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #254,795 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Symphony No. 93 in D major, H. 1/93: Adagio, Allegro assai

2. Symphony No. 93 in D major, H. 1/93: Largo cantabile

3. Symphony No. 93 in D major, H. 1/93: Menuetto & Trio

4. Symphony No. 93 in D major, H. 1/93: Finale. Presto ma non troppo

5. Symphony No. 95 in C minor, H. 1/95: Allegro

6. Symphony No. 95 in C minor, H. 1/95: Andante

7. Symphony No. 95 in C minor, H. 1/95: Menuetto & Trio

8. Symphony No. 95 in C minor, H. 1/95: Finale. Vivace

9. Symphony No. 97 in C major, H. 1/97: Adagio, Vivace

10. Symphony No. 97 in C major, H. 1/97: Adagio ma non troppo

See all 12 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Symphony No. 94 in G major ('Surprise'/'The Drumstroke'/'Mit dem Paukenschlag'), H. 1/94: Adagio cantabile, Vivace assai

2. Symphony No. 94 in G major ('Surprise'/'The Drumstroke'/'Mit dem Paukenschlag'), H. 1/94: Andante

3. Symphony No. 94 in G major ('Surprise'/'The Drumstroke'/'Mit dem Paukenschlag'), H. 1/94: Menuett & Trio

4. Symphony No. 94 in G major ('Surprise'/'The Drumstroke'/'Mit dem Paukenschlag'), H. 1/94: Finale

5. Symphony No. 96 in D major ('Miracle'), H. 1/96: Adagio, Allegro

6. Symphony No. 96 in D major ('Miracle'), H. 1/96: Andante

7. Symphony No. 96 in D major ('Miracle'), H. 1/96: Menuetto & Trio

8. Symphony No. 96 in D major ('Miracle'), H. 1/96: Finale. Vivace assai

9. Symphony No. 98 in B flat major, H. 1/98: Adagio, Allegro

10. Symphony No. 98 in B flat major, H. 1/98: Adagio cantabile

See all 12 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweeping away one's feet, April 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Early London Symphonies (Audio CD)

When I first heard Szell's reading of the 94th symphony I only knew Bernstein's recording on DG. I remember that it totally swept away my feet. I had to play the second movement over and over again. As if I did'nt know the piece or as if I suddenly realized what wonderful music this was. Szell's conducting is simply sine qua non - especially in the vigorous menuets. I've since come to know Beecham's recording these symphonies but I'll stick to Szell's - mainly because he has got this marvellous orchestra with him, maybe the only orchestra in the world which can play chamber-like in tutti-parts.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly great performances, August 16, 2004

By 

W. Corey "haydn aficionado" (So. California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Early London Symphonies (Audio CD)

When I first heard George Szell and the Cleveland Orch. perform Haydn's 93rd symphony, it was like hearing a revelation. There are other very fine recordings. But, this one is superior - it conveys the composer's joy, intelligence, diligence and good nature. This is the way Haydn should be heard.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Haydn by a master conductor, December 15, 2009

By 

HB "HB" (Fort Mill, SC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Haydn: Early London Symphonies (MP3 Download)

If you are new to classical music and would like to try some of Haydn's greatest symphonies, this set is for you. With the Cleveland Orchestra, George Szell had the perfect instrument for these great masterpieces. You might want to start with the very last track. It is the finale of Sym. No. 98. The playing is so gorgeous and the performance so inspired, you could easily fall in love with this music on first hearing. Then there is the slow movement of 93 where the composer has the bassoon play one very low note quite loud. You will probably know what the sound is and what it represents. It is very funny. There are times where the playing is so precise that it sounds a little stiff but don't let that bother you. The performances are beautiful, the playing as close to perfection as one could ever wish for.