8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
sleeper Haydn, 12 extremely charming 5-movt. works, May 8, 2004
This review is from: Haydn: Divertimenti 1-12 (Audio CD)
The Penguin Guide (a classical cd review bible) gave this recording three stars, their highest rating. I agree (and was actually suprised to find that they had reviewed it). It has perfect sound and the performance is clean and lively and just-right sounding in terms of pacing and character. These are the earliest works Haydn composed (when he was 25), and they are full of creative melody and unique turns of phrase (and the classical music equivalent of 'hooks'), and also long, beautiful (often minor key) slow movements often reaching to and beyond 9 and 10 minutes in length. For the record this set includes 4 CDs each containing 3 divertimenti of 5 movements each. A fast movement, a minuet and trio, a slow movement, another minuet and trio, and a closing fast movement. The trios of each minuet contain some of Haydn most charming, even strange, harmonies and melodies. All totally captivating. It is light classical music at its best. Acquire it before it's gone!
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