Haydn: The Symphonies [Box set, Import]

Franz Joseph Haydn (Composer), Antal Dorati (Conductor), Philharmonia Hungarica (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Philharmonia Hungarica
• Conductor: Antal Dorati
• Composer: Franz Joseph Haydn
• Audio CD (July 11, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 33
• Format: Box set, Import
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Decca Import
• ASIN: B0000042DP
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #104,974 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A major milestone in recorded music, stunning achievement, March 28, 2005

By 

R. Lane (Tracy, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Haydn: The Symphonies (Audio CD)

This complete cycle of the Symphonies of F.J. Haydn heralded a new era in recorded music. Everything about the project was first rate. The sound was among Decca's best. The playing of the little known Philharmonia Hungarica was close to perfect. Dorati's interpretations never disappointed. To top it off, Decca offered the cycle at budget prices and threw in unprecedented notes from H.C. Robbins Landon.

Many would comment "once you've heard one, you've heard them all" when asked about Haydn's vast symphonic output. They could not be more wrong. There isn't a dull symphony or poor performance in the lot. Try such unknowns as #26, or #33, or #51 and #52, to name a few of my lesser known favorites.

Those familiar with Haydn's more well known symphonies, such as the London Symphonies (93-104) were even astonished to find Dorati's performances giving more formidable orchestras and conductors a run for their money.

So what can be said of the set 30 years later?

Everything said earlier still stands, including the original liner notes. Only Graham Johnson's scrupulous notes with his various Hyperion lieder sets surpass Landon's astounding commentary. The digital transfers are from the late 80s, so they are not the best, but still quite serviceable. And the price is still quite reasonable.

Beware, though, that these are not period instruments. Dorati does use "period forces" as much as possible, meaning the number of instruments closely matches what would have been used originally.

So why do I say this set "heralded a new era in recorded music"? Because after the resounding success it enjoyed, many "complete" works projects of similar or greater magnitude got their chance. I doubt we would have any where near the volumes of "complete sets" we now enjoy had it not been for Dorati and Decca's Haydn cycle.

In short, a fabulous set that I would never part with.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For the sheer pleasure of them all...., November 10, 2006

By 

J. Bass - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Haydn: The Symphonies (Audio CD)

In the mid seventies, my father purchased all of what had been released of this cycle on vinyl LP. As vinyl goes, the London discs were first rate, and a prized possession.

I lost the vinyl collection during a move in the mid 80's. It was an emotional impact; I had cherished them as a child, and as a gift, irreplaceable.

This release is true to my memory, and now I have the entire cycle.

I've performed many of these in various orchestras and loved them all.

There's a fresh energy to the performances, and an elegance to the collection quite rare and delightful.

As a set, it's actually quite affordable considering it's under $6 per disc, or under $2 per symphony.

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Self-Recommending, August 31, 2002

By 

George Grella "Urbane citizen" (Brooklyn) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Haydn: The Symphonies (Audio CD)

As a composer, all of Haydn's symphonies interest me as a matter of course, and so this is a classic and indispensible set. While in the course of 33 cds, one can find many details to quibble over, these performances are consistently dynamic, exciting, vital and affecting. While not in conscious period-performance style, the tempos are in general brisk, the rhythms sharp. Dorati was one of the great conductors, and this is his metier.

Obviously, this is a considerable sum of money. But if you're looking at this page, you're already interested, and considering the average cost for CD, it's well worth the money. Go ahead, you'll be pleased for years on end!