Customer Reviews

Haydn: 6 "London" Symphonies

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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Jochum and London Phil deliver the highest level of Haydn playing just like Colin Davis and Concertgebow do. I own both and tried to compare between two.

Jochum adds plenty of personal touches that decidedly grab your attention. You hear poignant romanticism or Beethoven-like roar in many places. Colin Davis, by comparison, lets the music flow naturally and makes it sound more balanced. In his set, you hear more of Concertgebow Orchestra than Colin Davis. I think it's the other way around in Jochum set. Concergebow's sound is more transparent and charmingly light-footed while London Phil sounds fuller and creamier without losing crispness. You get more agility and refinement from Davis set. You get more expressiveness and warmth from Jochum's.
Let me emphasize that all of the good qualities I attributed to either of the sets actually exist in both (they are inherently in Haydn's writing). It's just that some qualities are more apparent in one than the other.
As to the recording, Colin Davis set has more sparkle and vividness. It sounds more modern. Jochum's has a typical old-fashioned analogue sound in a very good way. It has plenty of natural ambience but doesn't sound muddy.
I recommend you buy both of these delightful and affordable sets. I never regretted doing so :-)

By all accounts Haydn, has had an admirable legion of interpreters but just a few of remarkable ones.

If I had to pronounce myself for the most competent and eloquent directors, four names would have to be mentioned: Hermann Scerchen and his milestone recordings with Vienna Symphony during the Fifties, loaded of opulence and Imperial dignity; the legendary recordings of Tomas Beecham, the successful approach of Bernstein- New York and finally these invaluable treasured jewels with Davis and the distinguished and resonant sound of Concertgebouw. Ddavis is competent director who has been particularly fortunate with other Orchestras, such Boston (His Sibelius cycle is a must-have for most of serious collectors) or Bavarian Orchestra. Davis not only plays a superb Haydn, but besides, having deciphered the Haydn code through a zealous and rigorous analysis of the score produces admirable filigrees with these Symphonies.

Go for this set, without dilation.

I agree that Colin Davis' set with the Concertgebouw (now the Royal Concertgebouw) is more flowing and spontaneous. Haydn's genius is revealed as very engaging and naturally flowing. The Jochum set does have a lot of Jochum, the conductor, but that's a good thing! Jochum draws out the contrasts Haydn composed in his London symphonies and accents them. This teases out Haydn's very appealing and infectious sense of humor.

Haydn composed the London Symphonies for maximum impact on English audiences. In the German-speaking world of the time audiences were smaller and more musically sophisticated. Haydn wanted his London Symphonies to appeal to the larger English audiences with their wider range of musical sophistication. That's where the very engaging, naturally flowing aspect and the infectious and appealing humor come together. Obviously the combination was a hit then, and it still is now!

I agree with the previous reviewer that both are present in each set. The difference between them is a matter of degree. And like the previous reviewer, I love both.

A note on recording quality: While Jochum is available re-mastered, I prefer the older analog-to-digital DVD set. The newer re-mastered set is smoother, but loses the Haydnesque huffing and puffing that made Jochum's original set so memorable. Sadly the older set is now out of print, but can still be obtained from some Amazon independent sellers and used DVD stores. The current Davis re-issue (the one pictured in this Amazon listing) is re-mastered, but here the result is preferable to the original DVD issues.

This 2 cd recording of Sir Colin Davis conducting Haydn's London symphonies are over all "really nice performances". And I'm an original instrument kind of guy. It's funny how so many people make far too much fuss over old conductors such as Beechum & Furtw?ngler. These conductors perform Haydn wonderfully but the recording sound quality is ridiculously poor... and good luck trying to acquire them, if you MUST. Some act as if nobody could ever conduct Haydn as well. I totally disagree. I have a recording of a nobody conductor by the name of Hickox conducting the Collegium Musicum 90 doing Haydn's symphonies 103,95 & 104. They are so well done. Just listen to symphony 103 in this recording. However, my favorite Haydn conductors are Hogwood & Br?ggen. One warning though, stay away from Dorati. He had no business conducting the great Haydn and to think of all the great reviews he's received. Puzzling...