Hadyn: London Symphonies No. 103 + 104 [Import]

Sigiswald Kuijken (Artist, Conductor), Franz Joseph Haydn (Composer), La Petite Bande (Performer, Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: La Petite Bande
• Orchestra: La Petite Bande
• Conductor: Sigiswald Kuijken
• Composer: Franz Joseph Haydn
• Audio CD (December 29, 2009)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
• ASIN: B000001TZB
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #420,880 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. London Sym No. 103 in E flat major 'Mit dem Paukenwirbel': Adagio. Allegro con spirito

2. London Sym No. 103 in E flat major 'Mit dem Paukenwirbel': Andante piu tosto Allegro

3. London Sym No. 103 in E flat major 'Mit dem Paukenwirbel': Menuet-Trio

4. London Sym No. 103 in E flat major 'Mit dem Paukenwirbel': Finale. Allegro con spirito

5. London Sym No. 104 in D 'Salomon': Adagio. Allegro

6. London Sym No. 104 in D 'Salomon': Andante

7. London Sym No. 104 in D 'Salomon': Menuetto. Allegro-Trio

8. London Sym No. 104 in D 'Salomon': Finale spirituoso

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great 103rd!, May 25, 2011

By 

John E. Mack (New London, Minnesota United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hadyn: London Symphonies No. 103 + 104 (Audio CD)

It's odd that Haydn's 103 Symphony, the "Drum Roll," is not more popular. The strikingly original tympany roll at the beginning and end of the first movement was almost unprecedented at the time. The use of the "Dies Irae" theme and the things that Haydn does with it mark this out as an exceptionally serious effort. Personally, I think it is his greatest symphony. It is also very well played. I had not heard of of the "La Petite Bande" before, but its sound is certainly not "petite". This is a "modern" performance, not an attempt to re-create an authentic performance with period pieces, and I think modern, full orchestera treatment works better with Haydn than with many of his contemporaries. Haydn was trying for a big sound, especially in his later London symphonies, and it is more important to honor his intentions than to recreated the limited forces he would have been happy to augment if the means had been available. In addition to the Drum Roll, there is a fine 104th, Haydn's last essay in the symphonic form, and somewhat of a valedictory. It is perhaps less entertaining and more cerebral than the Drum Roll, and it points to another aspect of Haydn -- his remarkable musical intellect. Although he was perhaps less talented and certainly less intuitive than Mozart, he was constantly experimenting with instruments, formats, and sounds, and by the late 18th century had created a unique body of work -- one which makes up in interest and variety for his lack of Mozart's celestial gifts. I strongly recommend this CD.