Hadyn: Symphonies Nos. 92 " Oxford ", 94 " Surprise ", & 96 "Miracle"

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

Product Details

• Orchestra: Cleveland Orchestra
• Conductor: Szell
• Composer: Haydn
• Audio CD (April 5, 1991)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00000276H
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #185,108 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

Like so many great Mozart conductors, György Szell came to Haydn rather late in his career, but then found himself captivated by the music's wholly unique genius. Where Mozart likes long-breathed themes and balanced musical structures, Haydn prefers short, catchy motives and is a master of the unexpected. His orchestration, too, is sharper and more rhythmically defined than Mozart's is, with very free use of trumpets and drums. These three "name" symphonies represent Haydn at his best, and Szell responds with gusto to the music's wit and drama. Unlike so many conductors reared in the central European tradition, Szell never pulls any of Haydn's punches, allowing the winds and brass full play where required, but always within a finely honed stylistic framework. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Haydn from Cleveland, August 17, 2000

By 

James A. Quitslund (Bainbridge Island, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hadyn: Symphonies Nos. 92 " Oxford ", 94 " Surprise ", & 96 "Miracle" (Audio CD)

The 1960s was a great decade for everyone interested in the orchestral masterpieces of the classical style, as Herbert von Karajan and Karl Boehm struggled to maintain a sort of German hegemony against stiff American competition led in particular by George Szell. His recordings of Mozart and Haydn symphonies with the Cleveland Orchestra, and his partnerships with Robert Casadesus, Rudolf Serkin and Leon Fleischer in the great piano concerti of the same composers, may not have the gloss of some of the contemporary European recordings (to say nothing of the artificial brightness of many more recent digital productions), but digital remastering has added to the clarity and definiteness of the original issues on LP. With all respect to the old-instrument movement, it is stirring to hear a modern orchestra that is completely unashamed of being modern, but articulating and shaping each phrase with exemplary care and sensitivity. Severance Hall in Cleveland was and remains one of the great recording venues. The three Haydn symphonies on this cd are unsurpassed. This recording takes its place alongside the Mozart symphonies played by the same team. Why wait?

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine bargain, August 21, 2000

By 

bruce horner - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hadyn: Symphonies Nos. 92 " Oxford ", 94 " Surprise ", & 96 "Miracle" (Audio CD)

Yet another example of Sony putting out some of the best music in it's catalog at a bargain basement price. As with the Beethoven/Szell set, this is also one of the best interpretations of these symphonies you are ever likely to find, actually worth far more than the list price. Grab this, especially if you like Haydn!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An All-Time Great, August 18, 2000

By 

Michael B. Richman (Portland, Maine USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hadyn: Symphonies Nos. 92 " Oxford ", 94 " Surprise ", & 96 "Miracle" (Audio CD)

George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra's recordings of these Haydn symphonies may not be as enveloping and all-encompassing as say, Leonard Bernstein's, but they are nonetheless outstanding. The Szell versions instead are lean and mean; poignant, powerful and to the point; refreshingly crisp and direct. If that doesn't s(z)ell you on this recording, then the value should. Here you get three symphonies, more than 70 minutes of music, all for eight bucks. Even the Colin Davis "London" two-fers on Phillips aren't a better value. There should be no doubts about this one!