Haydn: 29 Name Symphonies

Academy of St Martins in the Field (Artist), Joseph Haydn (Composer), Neville Marriner (Conductor) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Conductor: Neville Marriner
• Composer: Joseph Haydn
• Audio CD (September 16, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 10
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B0000041LS
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #370,328 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Good, the Bad and the Nice, September 8, 2011

By 

Bernard Michael O'Hanlon (Wilsons Prom, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Haydn: 29 Name Symphonies (Audio CD)

This is a worthy acquisition and I'm glad it's in my collection. Even so, Marriner's success in these works is inversely proportional to their fame.

The London and Paris symphonies are a hotly contested domain. Marriner's performances are well-shaped, thoughtful and daintily played - and boring as bat-droppings. The same comment applies to La Matin, Le Midi & Le Soir; for all their rectitude, the readings are bland. The impact of period-practice on the wider market has shifted the ground on these recordings that sit half-way between Lenny / Karajan / Beecham & Hogwoodism. To my ears, readings of this kind are nearly unlistenable. Give me vice or give me virtue - not niceness.

On the other hand, obscure symphonies such as the Schoolmaster, La Roxelane, the Mercury and the Philosopher are stunningly played and recorded. Brio is in abundance. Sir Neville is at his swashbuckling best in La Passione, the Maria Theresia (what an opening movement) and the Funeral Symphony. Bucking the rule above, Sir Neville's Farewell Symphony is an unqualified success; there is a stillness and an inner poise to the last movement that are deeply moving. This box is the only way of acquiring these gun performances - hence the imperative.

The Lamentation (26) and Palindrome (47) are undertaken by Raymond Leppard, an underestimated conductor in this repertoire. They are memorably played. The slow movement of 26 with the Cantus Firmus ('the Lamentations of Jeremiah') is a masterpiece. This performance is the one to have.

There are actually three named symphonies missing: yes, the Alleluia and the Tempora Mutantur are both absent but so is the Echo (38). Each one of them is a cause for regret. The Echo in particular is such a skyrocket.

To sum up, these recordings were not a milestone in Haydn's discography like the Dorati cycle was, but at their best they will bring much joy into your life - and that was Haydn's intention.

5.0 out of 5 stars Bought it all for one recording, like most of them., September 10, 2010

By 

M. Woszczyna (Pittsburgh) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Haydn: 29 Name Symphonies (Audio CD)

I bought this for a CD copy of one or two symphonies as my tape had worn out and I wanted to get rid of the tape player anyhow. I've not yet listened to all of it, since I tend to play the parts I like over and over if I do take it out. It's an impressive collection and I don't regret the investment.

5 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lovely and bright performance. I wish it was full digital., July 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Haydn: 29 Name Symphonies (Audio CD)

Wonderful and charming performance of the Haydn "name" symphonies. Because these are analogue re-mastered CDs there is a loss of richness and brightness which is a shame because the play is full of joy and vigor. Even so, it is a good value for the price and one soon becomes used to the "vinyl" sound.