Customer Reviews

Haydn: Symphonies 21-39

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Well it took 14 years, but this 5 disc volume completes the 32 disc collection of Haydn symphonies.

As with the previous volumes this one is fully digital, the technical quality of these discs is excellent.

I have all 8 volumes and have been happy with every one of them.

The sounds of Adam Fischer and the Austro-Hungarian Orchestra are splendid. This group of symphonies (21-39) is quickly becoming one of my favorites.

Some say Haydn's ingenuity is even greater than that of Mozart's or Beethoven's. When listening to this brilliantly played set, I find myself becoming a convert of the belief. Haydn experimented with a variety of musical tools in these works. Surprising twists and turns are abundant. You will hear chamber serenade, harpsichord run, or violin solo in the most unexpected spots. Instruments are sometimes played in very unconventional ways resulting in exotic sounds - similar to what Berlioz and Mahler did later. Structure is toyed with in many symphonies, especially in the early ones.

In Austro-Hungrarian Orchestra, Adam Fischer finds an all-in chef's toolkit needed to cook these delightful ingredients. The woodwinds not only sing but also coo and meow. Strings melt your heart to a puddle with their exquisite pianissimo. Horns are expressive yet stylish. The whole orchestra knows how to knock themselves out when the music calls for it. The overall timbre is unlike any other orchestra I've ever heard, period or conventional. It's bright, edgy and folksy at the same time. It sounds like a virtuosic chamber ensemble rather than an orchestra except in the big symphonies. I believe the closest thing to their sound is Vienna Philharmonic playing Johann Strauss waltzes. Throw in a hint of gypsy flavor then it would be even closer.

Because this is a massive 33-CD set, there are inevitably a few imperfections. In a handful of spots the strings are not perfectly together. Adding to this, some of the violins have very distinctive tones which don't blend well with others when the music gets energetic. As to the engineering, some of the symphonies recorded early in the cycle are captured with too much reverberation, especially some London symphonies which sound soft-edged. But let me assure you the vast majority of the 100 plus symphonies have been recorded with crystal-clear brilliance.

One may find more sophisticated and smooth playing in some conventional performances (Colin Davis and Jochum) or crisper articulations in some period recordings (Bruggen and Pinnock). But Fischer and his hand-picked orchestra deliver more character and expressiveness than in any Haydn performances I've ever heard. Harnoncourt comes close but Fischer's set has more smiles. And his orchestra has the devilish ability to accommodate any mood Haydn's score throws at them - whether it's charm, wit, panache, or pathos. Their playing in slow movements is simply inimitable.

This set will be the source of joy for many Haydn lovers whether they are beginners just opening up the treasure chest or seasoned collectors with many other Haydn CDs. According to others' opinions, it compares favorably to Dorati's box, the only other complete set which I have not heard.

One final point - I wrote the review without the consideration of the price. In other words, this set is worth acquiring at any price.

A superlative recording of Haydn symphonies. These perfomences are very enjoyable and i highly recommend them

I heard a few pieces of Haydn when I was in junior high school and came to the unfortunate decision that he wasn't as interesting as Handel or Beethoven. At the time I had not given Mozart or Bach a listen beyond the old Columbia Masterworks recordings. Then, while selling audio equipment in the mid-1980s I discovered the Nimbus label. I was trying to collect Debussy and I had read a review of the Martin Jones Debussy recordings. I was impressed. And then I found other excellent recordings on that label. Which lead me to discover these Haydn Symphony recordings. I purchased a couple of these set and was impressed with the sound, but never really gave the discs a discerning listen they deserved. Then I discovered Naxos, which lead me to Jeno Jando's Complete Haydn Piano Sonata recordings. Which lead me to finish collecting these fine Nimbus sets.

I listen on an audiophile system which shows up every nuance of the original recording without shaping or enhancing the sound. Adam Fisher and the Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra deliver, to my ears, one of the most fabulous sets of Classical period recordings I've ever heard. I own complete sets of Mozart concertos and symphonies, Beethoven, Schubert and others.
The performances by the orchestra are sensitive, nuanced, detailed, and tempos never rush, never drag. One of the main things that distinguish these recordings is the obvious cooperation and partnership between the conductor and the recording engineers.

One of the things that every single Nimbus record shares is the amount of care that goes into capturing the acoustic temperment of performance venues. Hall, Cathedral, studio. What you get here is bite without brassiness or harshness. Perfect balance and equalization. You can actually hear the brass and the woodwinds. Many other recordings from this era are just drowning in reverb to the point that all you can make out is strings and tympani. One of the best performances on this set is the "Philosopher" Symphony 22. Rich. In Symphony 26, Mvmt 1, you can hear the bow hair hitting the strings, and a wide range of dynamics. No "just going though the motions" here. Fisher imbues each piece with lyricism and as much emotion as you're going to get with absolute music from this period. Though never soaked in sentiment, you get exciting and a lot of gorgeous, dare I say, lush treatments that are always a joy to listen to.

These sets may be priced like budget recordings, but when originally offered they were full price. These performances are included in the Brilliant Classics Haydn set, but if you can't afford that set or just want to collect in installment, this a a great choice. The Dorati recordings are bigger, old style symphonic readings. Apple and orange performances, but as far as sound quality goes - the Nimbus recordings are superior. You will find slight differences in sound quality among the Fisher sets, but even at it's worst it is far, far superior to the Dorati recordings. If you're still in question, listen to the samples. Highly recommend.

That's how one prominent review tabbed this set! Went on to compare with Dorati's recording of same, and found this one relative equal, but with somewhat faster tempos and period faithfulness.

Having fallen in love with hearing Symphony #38 on radio with its dazziling oboe part, had to have that recording and in the bargain found many more of this 1760ish collection of Haydn's works to equally love.

Especially fond of No. 31 with its superb horn work and double bass, and also the 30th with its addition of trumpets and drums.

For the price brilliant five disc set to enjoy these in Haydn's symphonic cycle.