Haydn: Symphonies 94,96,104

1. Symphony No. 94 in G major ("Surprise"/"The Drumstroke"/"Mit dem Paukenschlag"), H. 1/94
Composed by Franz Joseph Haydn
Performed by Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Andre Previn

2. Symphony No. 96 in D major ("Miracle"), H. 1/96
Composed by Franz Joseph Haydn
Performed by London Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Andre Previn

3. Symphony No. 104 in D major ("London"), H. 1/104
Composed by Franz Joseph Haydn
Performed by Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Andre Previn

Customer Reviews:

Intense, Vigorous Haydn.......2007-06-02

WOW! Could anyone ever think of Haydn as thrilling? If not, listen to this set! Jochum, who has now joined Furtwangler in my pantheon of godlike conductors, brings a fire and exhilaration that sweeps over every note. I am especially impressed and moved by his performance of no. 98, written in memory of the recently deceased Mozart (the slow movement really echos that of the "Jupiter", something I never noticed before hearing Jochum). The recorded sound is superb in its naturalness, and the LPO follows Jochum perfectly. As a bonus, the last CD contains earlier Jochum Haydn recordings, including his no. 98 with the Berlin Philharmonic. Although the BPO is my favorite orchestra of all, I find myself prefering the later LPO version for its even greater forcefulness. It seems that while other conductors mellowed with time, Jochum seemed to gain in fire and flame as he aged.

Fine Haydn at a Great Price.......2007-05-18

There's no getting around the fact that Jochum adds his own personal touches to all the works in this set, and as with his Bruckner, they work marvelously and make the listening a lot of fun. Haydn infuses his work with a great deal of humor and wit as it is; these performances simply enhance those qualities. They're not as rough & ready as Bernstein/NYP, not as refined as Colin Davis/COA; but they're well-played, inspired, and for the Haydn enthusiast, never dull.

The "bonus" recordings on Disc #5 date from 1962 and 1958 (the remainder of the set from 1972-73) and sound absolutely great!

Superb Performances Of Haydn's "London" Symphonies From Jochum and the London Philharmonic Orchestra.......2007-03-12

Eugen Jochum is probably best remembered for his sterling interpretations of Bruckner's symphonies. However, he should be well regarded too for his splendid interpretations of Haydn's late symphonies. This superb 5 CD set has been listed - and then deleted inexplicably - by Deutsche Grammophon for years; now at last it is back in a relatively inexpensive form, demonstrating once more that it is among the finest recordings of these symphonies ever made. Jochum leads the London Philharmonic Orchestra in light, delicate performances which are truly revelatory, leading the orchestra as if Haydn himself was conducting. It's truly hard for me to select a single favorite, though I agree with another reviewer that Jochum's interpretation of the 101st "Clock" symphony is truly special. For these reasons alone, I can't say that Jochum's cycle is "better" than those I've heard from Bernstein and Sir Colin Davis; however, I will say that his cycle is one I recommend as highly as those from these two superb Haydn interpreters. I do know that I greatly enjoyed my original LP versions of Jochum's cycle, and for this reason alone, I strongly recommend this CD version to potential purchasers.

How to conduct Haydn.......2007-03-08

Eugen Jochum was a truly great conductor without that reputation. When you listen to this set, the greatness really shows. First of all, these recordings sound like performances. They have grace, style and most importantly, spontanaiety. Of all the great composers, Haydn's music has the most humor. Some of it is extremely obvious like the slow movements of 93 and 94. Other times it is much more subtle. But it is always there. Jochum brings out the humor and spontanaiety as well as any conductor making this set absolutely delightful. I have one complaint. For some strange reason, they included two recordings of Symphony No. 98. There had to be another Haydn symphony somewhere. I would love to have a Jochum recording of No. 86, if he recorded it. Nevertheless, this is a set that should be in your library if you love the classical era.

SO GREAT!!!.......2007-03-06

Cada vez me admira mas la versatilidad del director Eugen Jochum y este set de las sinfonias londinenses de Haydn lo corrobora; tiene toda la expresividad y musicalidad que estas sinfonias deben tener y la remasterizacion es muy buena. Lo recomiendo mucho.

Average customer rating:

Comparison - Jochum's Set vs. Colin Davis'
Haydn in very good hands!
Really Nice Performances
Well Played

Haydn: 6 "London" Symphonies
Concertgebouw Orchestra
Manufacturer: Umvd Labels
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000051YDD
Release Date: 2001-10-30

Tracks:

Sym No.94 in G 'Surprise': I. Adagio - Vivace Assai
Sym No.94 in G 'Surprise': II. Andante
Sym No.94 in G 'Surprise': III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegro Molto
Sym No.94 in G 'Surprise': IV. Finale: Allegro Di Molto
Sym No.100 in G 'Military': I. Adagio - Allegro
Sym No.100 in G 'Military': II. Allegretto
Sym No.100 in G 'Military': III. Menuet E Trio: Moderato
Sym No.100 in G 'Military': IV: Finale: Presto
Sym No.101 in D 'Clock': I. Adagio - Presto
Sym No.101 in D 'Clock': II. Andante
Sym No.101 in D 'Clock': III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegretto
Sym No.101 in D 'Clock': IV. Finale: Vivace

Tracks:

Sym No.96 in D 'Miracle': I. Adagio - Allegro
Sym No.96 in D 'Miracle': II. Andante
Sym No.96 in D 'Miracle': III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegretto
Sym No.96 in D 'Miracle': IV. Finale: Vivace
Sym No.103 in E flat 'Drum Roll': I. Adagio - Allegro Con Spirito
Sym No.103 in E flat 'Drum Roll': II. Andante, Piu Tosto Allegretto
Sym No.103 in E flat 'Drum Roll': III. Menuetto E Trio
Sym No.103 in E flat 'Drum Roll': IV. Finale: Allegro Con Spirito
Sym No.104 in D 'London': I. Adagio - Allegro
Sym No.104 in D 'London': II. Andante
Sym No.104 in D 'London': III. Menuet E Trio: Allegro
Sym No.104 in D 'London': IV. Finale: Spiritoso

Customer Reviews:

Comparison - Jochum's Set vs. Colin Davis'.......2006-02-23

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 :-)

Haydn in very good hands!.......2006-02-20

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.

Really Nice Performances.......2003-09-04

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...

Well Played.......2003-01-04

Haydn's London Symphonies are wonderful works. I always enjoy playing them because they are so clean and fresh. Sir Colin Davis conducts the fine Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam. This is a great combination. The orchestra plays tightly and crisply. I really enjoy this disc, especially Symphony No. 104.

Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 93-104, The London Symphonies

Average customer rating:

Worth acquiring at any price.
Very enjoyable
Terrible recordings ruin decent performances.
The ones who know it best
A wonderful collection

Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 93-104, The London Symphonies

Manufacturer: Nimbus Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 88 - 92 / Sinfonia Concertante
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Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 40-54

ASIN: B0000064AU
Release Date: 1992-12-02

Tracks:

Sym. No. 93 in D major: Adagio - Allegro assai - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 93 in D major: Largo cantabile - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 93 in D major: Menuetto & Trio: Allegro - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 93 in D major: Finale: Presto ma non troppo - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 94 in G Major: Adagio - Vivace assai - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 94 in G Major: Andante - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 94 in G Major: Menuet & Trio: Allegro molto - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 94 in G Major: Finale: Allegro di molto - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 95 in C Major: Allegro moderato - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 95 in C Major: Andante - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 95 in C Major: Menuetto & Trio - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 95 in C Major: Final: Vivace - J. Haydn

Tracks:

Sym. No. 96 in D major: Adagio - Allegro - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 96 in D major: Andante - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 96 in D major: Menuetto & Trio: Allegretto - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 96 in D major: Finale: Vivace (assai) - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 97 in C major: Adagio - Vivace - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 97 in C major: Adagio ma non troppo - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 97 in C major: Menuetto & Trio: Allegretto - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 97 in C major: Finale: Presto assai - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 98 in B-flat Major: Adagio - Allegro - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 98 in B-flat Major: Adagio - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 98 in B-flat Major: Menuet & Trio: Allegro - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 98 in B-flat Major: Finale: Presto - J. Haydn

Tracks:

Symphony No. 99 in E-flat Major: Adagio - Vivace assai - J. Haydn
Symphony No. 99 in E-flat Major: Adagio - J. Haydn
Symphony No. 99 in E-flat Major: Menuet & Trio: Allegretto - J. Haydn
Symphony No. 99 in E-flat Major: Finale: Vivace - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 100 in G Major: Adagio - Allegro - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 100 in G Major: Allegretto - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 100 in G Major: Menuet & Trio: Moderato - J. Haydn
Sym. No. 100 in G Major: Finale: Presto - J. Haydn

Tracks:

Sym No. 101 in D Major (Clock): Adagio --Presto - Joseph Haydn
Sym No. 101 in D Major (Clock): Andante - Joseph Haydn
Sym No. 101 in D Major (Clock): Menuet & Trio: Allegretto - Joseph Haydn
Sym No. 101 in D Major (Clock): Finale: Vivace - Joseph Haydn
Sym No. 102 in B-Flat Major (Miracle): Largo - Allegro vivace - Joseph Haydn
Sym No. 102 in B-Flat Major (Miracle): Adagio - Joseph Haydn
Sym No. 102 in B-Flat Major (Miracle): Menuetto & Trio: Allegro - Joseph Haydn
Sym No. 102 in B-Flat Major (Miracle): Finale: Presto - Joseph Haydn

Tracks:

Sym No. 103 in E-Flat Major (Drumroll): Adagio - Allegro con spirito - Joseph Haydn
Sym No. 103 in E-Flat Major (Drumroll): Andante pito allegretto - Joseph Haydn
Sym No. 103 in E-Flat Major (Drumroll): Menuet & Trio - Joseph Haydn
Sym No. 103 in E-Flat Major (Drumroll): Finale: Allegro con spirito - Joseph Haydn
Sym No. 104 in D Major (London): Adagio - Allegro - Joseph Haydn
Sym No. 104 in D Major (London): Andante - Joseph Haydn
Sym No. 104 in D Major (London): Menuetto & Trio: Allegro - Joseph Haydn
Sym No. 104 in D Major (London): Finale: Spiritoso - Joseph Haydn

Customer Reviews:

Worth acquiring at any price........2007-02-23

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.

Very enjoyable.......2002-03-23

I have enjoyed these discs quite a bit. The playing is fabulous, and the conducting is fine. Sometimes the engineering is a little muddy, but not near enough to destroy my pleasure.

For the ultimate London symphonies, I highly recommend Beecham on EMI. No one has matched his charm and wit with the drama. Fischer's recordings are great; Beecham is awesome!

Terrible recordings ruin decent performances........2001-12-11

Overmiked, overmixed recordings that sound very unnatural, wasting their authentic recording venue. Bass is boomy and muddy on some of them. The performances themselves are OK, but generally too slow and relaxed for my tastes. I would recommend the Colin Davis set on Philips instead. It contains warmly-recorded performances, none of which falls short of excellent, and it comes on only 4 discs, which comes out to about the same price as this Fischer set, and you only have to buy 2 at once.

The ones who know it best.......2000-05-16

I suppose it's a tad bit ethnocentric to assume that because Fischer and the Haydn Orchestra are Hungarian they'd be able to play Haydn better than anyone else, but in this case I feel it's true. Aside from having a high level of technical skill, the orchestra puts real verve and life into their performances. (You will never listen to another recording of the "Military" symphony again.) This is coupled with Fischer's flair for the dramatic; endings are rallentandoed appropriately, and each piece shines with the sense that it is being thoroughly interpreted, not just perfunctorily played through. A rather muffled-sounding recording of the "Clock" symphony and some blurriness in the first movement of the "Military" does not detract from the overall greatness of these interpretations. Ethnocentric or not, these players know what they're doing.

A wonderful collection.......2000-03-29

This is an excellent collection of Haydn symphonies. It is the highest numbered volume in an 8 volume set although it is not the last to be produced. Volumes 5 and 2 are forthcoming and will be available in October of 2000 and 2001 respectively. (I contacted the record label to find out...that's how much I enjoy this set) It is a full digital recording and has no discernable technical flaws. The performances are beautifully done. If you are looking for a complete collection of Haydn symphonies - this is one piece of the set I would recommend.

Haydn: The London Symphonies Nos. 93-104

Average customer rating:

Clean performances in lovely sound, but that's not enough
The most enjoyable Haydn I own
Romantic Haydn

Haydn: The London Symphonies Nos. 93-104

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0001Y4JHK
Release Date: 2004-10-12

Customer Reviews:

Clean performances in lovely sound, but that's not enough.......2007-04-27

No one should expect the fire-eating Solti when it comes to Haydn. As its often his wont, his driven style becomes quite tame--the same thing happens in Beethoven. Eerything here is cleanly played, and the sound provided by the ?Decca engineers falls gracefully on the ear. The London Phil. has the distinciton of two "London" symphony cycles, this one and another on DG with Eugen Jochum. They play beter for Solti, and his direct, unfussy approach, though semi-anonymous, is preerable to Jochum's plodding dullness and heavy hand.

That said, I never smiled while listening to these readings. There's no depth or humor to be had here, unlike the marvelous Beecham and equally impressive Bernstein. Tempos are moderate throughout, with no surprises in either the fast or slow movements; happily, the Minuets are light-footed. I won't run through each symphony because they all follow the same model---each is precise, respectful, and unexceptionable. For me, that's jsut not enough to make this great music come alive.

The most enjoyable Haydn I own.......2006-07-29

I bought this set with some trepidation, because I had a hard time conceptualizing what Solti's Haydn might be. The fullness, sheer size and gloss of the sound at first struck me as stylistically incorrect, but that impression rapidly faded, and now Solti's Haydn easily eclipses the competing sets I've owned. The overrated Davis set is positively lackluster by comparison, (and contains annoying noises from the musicians). Solti's outer movements are a little faster than Davis', the inner movements a little slower. But this scarcely matters, as every note on these recordings is played with such warm-hearted exhuberance and recorded so brilliantly, each symphony seduces the listener on its own. The recordings are remarkably consistent despite multiple producers and venues over a large span of time. Every recording is very clean and contains no distracting noises even on my in-th-ear headphones. I've got other Haydn by Goodman, Muller-Bruhl, Marriner, Mackerras, La Petite band and others, but this set is the one I listen to the most.

Romantic Haydn.......2005-02-15

I am delighted to see these Solti recordings of The London Symphonies reissued. The London Symphonies have been interpreted in various ways by several different conductors. No one has a definitive interpretation. Each has their own strength and weaknesses. Solti's are big, imposing readings in the Romantic mode yet they catch the spirit of Haydn's wit and joy. While these performances have a firm, weighty tone, they are extemely fleet and nimble. They are never ponderous or heavy-footed. Rather, they are sparkling, vivid; naturally supple interpretations. Sometimes Solti's tempos can be too fast, especially in the 97th. One wishes for a larger bassoon belch in the 93rd. Solti's 95th is unsmiling for the most part. But now I am quibbling. I heartily commend these recordings for your Haydn collection.

Average customer rating:

Bernstein was truly inspired that recording day!
Splendid Haydn from Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic
An Addendum
Missed the "Royal Editions," Get This!

Haydn: The 12 London Symphonies

Manufacturer: Sbme Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00008PW49
Release Date: 2003-05-12

Tracks:

Symphony In D Major, Hob. 1: 93
Symphony In D Major, Hob. 1: 93
Symphony In D Major, Hob. 1: 93
Symphony In D Major, Hob. 1: 93
Symphony In G Major, Hob. 1: 94 "Surprise"
Symphony In G Major, Hob. 1: 94 "Surprise"
Symphony In G Major, Hob. 1: 94 "Surprise"
Symphony In G Major, Hob. 1: 94 "Surprise"
Symphony In C Minor, Hob. 1: 95
Symphony In C Minor, Hob. 1: 95
Symphony In C Minor, Hob. 1: 95
Symphony In C Minor, Hob. 1: 95
Symphony In D Major, Hob. 1: 96 "The Miracle"
Symphony In D Major, Hob. 1: 96 "The Miracle"
Symphony In D Major, Hob. 1: 96 "The Miracle"
Symphony In D Major, Hob. 1: 96 "The Miracle"
Symphony In C Major, Hob. 1: 97
Symphony In C Major, Hob. 1: 97
Symphony In C Major, Hob. 1: 97
Symphony In C Major, Hob. 1: 97
Symphony In B-Flat Major, Hob. 1: 98
Symphony In B-Flat Major, Hob. 1: 98
Symphony In B-Flat Major, Hob. 1: 98
Symphony In B-Flat Major, Hob. 1: 98
Symphony In E-Flat Major, Hob. 1: 99
Symphony In E-Flat Major, Hob. 1: 99
Symphony In E-Flat Major, Hob. 1: 99
Symphony In E-Flat Major, Hob. 1: 99
Symphony In G Major, Hob. 1: 100 "Military"
Symphony In G Major, Hob. 1: 100 "Military"
Symphony In G Major, Hob. 1: 100 "Military"
Symphony In G Major, Hob. 1: 100 "Military"
Symphony In B-Flat Major, Hob. 1: 102
Symphony In B-Flat Major, Hob. 1: 102
Symphony In B-Flat Major, Hob. 1: 102
Symphony In B-Flat Major, Hob. 1: 102
Symphony In D Major, Hob. 1: 104 "London"
Symphony In D Major, Hob. 1: 104 "London"
Symphony In D Major, Hob. 1: 104 "London"
Symphony In D Major, Hob. 1: 104 "London"
Symphony In D Major, Hob. 1: 101 "The Clock"
Symphony In D Major, Hob. 1: 101 "The Clock"
Symphony In D Major, Hob. 1: 101 "The Clock"
Symphony In D Major, Hob. 1: 101 "The Clock"
Symphony In E-Flat Major, Hob. 1: 103 "Drum-Roll"
Symphony In E-Flat Major, Hob. 1: 103 "Drum-Roll"
Symphony In E-Flat Major, Hob. 1: 103 "Drum-Roll"
Symphony In E-Flat Major, Hob. 1: 103 "Drum-Roll"

Album Details

5CD Box set. Columbia Legends Series.

Customer Reviews:

Bernstein was truly inspired that recording day!.......2006-02-12

In spite the fact Charles Munch reached a unequaled peak with the 104th Symphony, Scherchen, Beecham and Colin Davis share deserved honors, I must recognize the devoted inspiration and sublime charm gotten by Bernstein those days with the New York Philharmonic.

Leonard Bernstein achieved an overwhelming artistic feat with the Symphony No. 97 of Joseph Haydn. You won ` t get another similar performance with such burden of stamina, imperial breath and supreme expressive elegance.

Forget about any other 97th. You just listen and then, I guess, you will agree with me.

Splendid Haydn from Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic.......2005-09-13

I have heard Bernstein's recordings of Haydn's "Paris" symphonies with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra in a separate Sony collection and have no doubt that these are splendid too. Critics and music lovers alike have tended to minimize Bernstein's strengths as a conductor of Classical music, overlooking his fine conducting of Haydn and Mozart and praising instead his advocacy of Mahler's symphonies and the work of great 20th Century American composers, most notably Aaron Copeland. But I truly treasure Bernstein's excellent conducting of Haydn's and Mozart's scores, which are as fine as the best I have heard from the likes of Herbert von Karajan, Karl Bohm or Sir Colin Davis. And speaking of Sir Colin Davis's excellent Phillips recordings of the London symphonies, I have no doubt that Bernstein's are equally superb. If I am critical of Bernstein's New York Philharmonic Orchestra recordings at all, it is only for technical reasons that they lack the expressive richness of sound I have heard in his later Deutsche Grammophon recordings, most notably those with the Vienna Philharmonic and Concertgebouw orchestras.

An Addendum.......2004-02-19

Upon further inspection of this set, buyers should be aware that some of the discs are mislabeled. CD3 is actually CD4, CD4 is actually CD5 and CD5 is actually CD3. And it's not just my set as I have confirmed the same problem with friends who own it. The music is still beautiful, it's just in the wrong order.

Missed the "Royal Editions," Get This!.......2004-01-28

This five-disc French Import from the "Columbia Legends" series collects all of Leonard Bernstein's performances of Haydn's 12 "London" Symphonies, originally recorded between 1958 and 1975. This music was most recently available in Sony's "Royal Edition" series as two separate volumes. In case you missed one or both of those aforementioned titles (I only previously owned 100-104), this set is the one to get now as the "Royals" have been out-of-print for a few years. Bernstein's accounts of Symphonies Nos. 100-104 were my first, so they will always hold a special place in my heart. But even as I have expanded my collection to include acclaimed performances by Dorati, Davis, Jochum and Beecham among others, the Bernsteins still stand out for their power and precision. For Symphonies 93-99 I was reared on George Szell, but Bernstein's renditions are every bit as good. Even though I should have gotten all these Symphonies years ago, they were certainly worth the wait.

Average customer rating:

A superb milestone
For the sheer pleasure of them all....
Antal Dorati's Claim To Fame
A major milestone in recorded music, stunning achievement
Dorati blazed the trail for Haydn interpreters

Haydn: The Symphonies

Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000042DP
Release Date: 1997-06-24

Tracks:

Symphony No. 1 In D Major - I. Presto
Symphony No. 1 In D Major - II. Andante
Symphony No. 1 In D Major - III. Finale: Presto
Symphony No. 2 In C Major - I. Allegro
Symphony No. 2 In C Major - II. Andante
Symphony No. 2 In C Major - III. Finale: Presto
Symphony No. 3 In G Major - I. Allegro
Symphony No. 3 In G Major - II. Andante Moderato
Symphony No. 3 In G Major - Menuet E Trio
Symphony No. 3 In G Major - Finale: Alla Breve
Symphony No. 4 In D Major - I. Presto
Symphony No. 4 In D Major - II. Andante
Symphony No. 4 In D Major - III. Finale: Tempo Di Menuetto
Symphony No. 5 In A Major - I. Adagio Ma Non Troppo
Symphony No. 5 In A Major - II. Allegro
Symphony No. 5 In A Major - III. Menuet E Trio
Symphony No. 5 In A Major - IV. Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 6 In D Major - 'Le Matin' - I. Adagio-Allegro
Symphony No. 6 In D Major - 'Le Matin' - II. Adagio-Andante
Symphony No. 6 In D Major - 'Le Matin' - III. Menuet E Trio
Symphony No. 6 In D Major - 'Le Matin' - IV. Finale: Allegro
Symphony No. 7 In C Major - 'Le Midi' - I. Adagio-Allegro
Symphony No. 7 In C Major - 'Le Midi' - II. Recitativo: Adagio
Symphony No. 7 In C Major - 'Le Midi' - III. Menuetto E Trio
Symphony No. 7 In C Major - 'Le Midi' - IV. Finale: Allegro
Symphony No. 8 In G Major - 'Le Soir' - I. Allegro Molto
Symphony No. 8 In G Major - 'Le Soir' - II. Andante
Symphony No. 8 In G Major - 'Le Soir' - III. Menuetto E Trio
Symphony No. 8 In G Major - 'Le Soir' - IV. 'La Tempesta': Presto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 9 In C Major - I. Allegro Molto
Symphony No. 9 In C Major - II. Andante
Symphony No. 9 In C Major - III. Finale: Menuetto-Allegretto
Symphony No. 10 In D Major - I. Allegro
Symphony No. 10 In D Major - II. Andante
Symphony No. 10 In D Major - III. Finale: Presto
Symphony No. 11 In E Flat Major - I. Adagio Cantabile
Symphony No. 11 In E Flat Major - II. Allegro
Symphony No. 11 In E Flat Major - III. Menuet E Trio
Symphony No. 11 In E Flat Major - IV. Finale: Presto
Symphony No. 12 In E Major - I. Allegro
Symphony No. 12 In E Major - II. Adagio
Symphony No. 12 In E Major - III. Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 13 In D Major - I. Allegro Molto
Symphony No. 13 In D Major - II. Adagio Cantabile
Symphony No. 13 In D Major - III. Menuet E Trio
Symphony No. 13 In D Major - IV. Finale: Allegro Molto
Symphony No. 14 In A Major - I. Allegro Molto
Symphony No. 14 In A Major - II. Andante
Symphony No. 14 In A Major - III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 14 In A Major - IV. Finale: Allegretto
Symphony No. 15 In D Major - I. Adagio-Presto-Adagio
Symphony No. 15 In D Major - II. Menuet E Trio
Symphony No. 15 In D Major - III. Andante
Symphony No. 15 In D Major - IV. Finale: Presto
Symphony No. 16 In B Flat Major - I. Allegro
Symphony No. 16 In B Flat Major - II. Andante Ma Non Troppo
Symphony No. 16 In B Flat Major - III. Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 17 In F Major - I. Allegro
Symphony No. 17 In F Major - II. Andante Ma Non Troppo
Symphony No. 17 In F Major - III. Finale: Allegro Molto
Symphony No. 18 In G Major - I. Andante Moderato
Symphony No. 18 In G Major - II. Allegro Molto
Symphony No. 18 In G Major - III. Tempo Di Menuet
Symphony No. 19 In D Major - I. Allegro Molto
Symphony No. 19 In D Major - II. Andante
Symphony No. 19 In D Major - III. Presto
Symphony No. 20 In C Major - I. Allegro Molto
Symphony No. 20 In C Major - II. Andante Cantabile
Symphony No. 20 In C Major - III. Menuetto E Trio
Symphony No. 20 In C Major - IV. Presto
Symphony No. 21 In A Major - I. Adagio
Symphony No. 21 In A Major - II. Presto
Symphony No. 21 In A Major - III. Menuetto E Trio
Symphony No. 21 In A Major - IV. Allegro Molto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 22 In E Flat Major - 'The Philosopher' - I. Adagio
Symphony No. 22 In E Flat Major - 'The Philosopher' - II. Presto
Symphony No. 22 In E Flat Major - 'The Philosopher' - III. Menuetto E Trio
Symphony No. 22 In E Flat Major - 'The Philosopher' - IV. Presto
Symphony No. 23 In G Major - I. Allegro
Symphony No. 23 In G Major - II. Andante
Symphony No. 23 In G Major - III. Menuetto E Trio
Symphony No. 23 In G Major - IV. Presto Assai
Symphony No. 24 In D Major - I. Allegro
Symphony No. 24 In D Major - II. Adagio
Symphony No. 24 In D Major - III. Menuetto E Trio
Symphony No. 24 In D Major - IV. Allegro
Symphony No. 25 In C Major - I. Adagio
Symphony No. 25 In C Major - II. Menuetto E Trio
Symphony No. 25 In C Major - III. Presto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 26 In D Minor - 'Lamentatione' - I. Allegro Assai Con Spirito
Symphony No. 26 In D Minor - 'Lamentatione' - II. Adagio
Symphony No. 26 In D Minor - 'Lamentatione' - III. Menuetto E Trio
Symphony No. 27 In G Major - I. Allegro Molto
Symphony No. 27 In G Major - II. Andante Siciliano
Symphony No. 27 In G Major - III. Presto
Symphony No. 28 In A Major - I. Allegro Di Molto
Symphony No. 28 In A Major - II. Poco Adagio
Symphony No. 28 In A Major - III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegro Molto
Symphony No. 28 In A Major - IV. Presto Assai
Symphony No. 29 In E Major - I. Allegro Di Molto
Symphony No. 29 In E Major - II. Andante
Symphony No. 29 In E Major - III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 29 In E Major - IV. Presto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 30 In C Major - 'Alleluja' - I. Allegro
Symphony No. 30 In C Major - 'Alleluja' - II. Andante
Symphony No. 30 In C Major - 'Alleluja' - III. Tempo Di Menuet, Piu Tosto Allegretto
Symphony No. 31 In D Major - 'Hornsignal' - I. Allegro
Symphony No. 31 In D Major - 'Hornsignal' - II. Adagio
Symphony No. 31 In D Major - 'Hornsignal' - III. Menuetto E Trio
Symphony No. 31 In D Major - 'Hornsignal' - IV. Moderato Molto
Symphony No. 32 In C Major - I. Allegro Molto
Symphony No. 32 In C Major - II. Menuetto E Trio
Symphony No. 32 In C Major - III. Adagio Ma Non Troppo
Symphony No. 32 In C Major - IV. Presto
Symphony No. 33 In C Major - I. Vivace
Symphony No. 33 In C Major - II. Andante
Symphony No. 33 In C Major - III. Menuetto E Trio
Symphony No. 33 In C Major - IV. Allegro

Tracks:

Symphony No. 34 In D Minor - I. Adagio
Symphony No. 34 In D Minor - II. Allegro
Symphony No. 34 In D Minor - III. Menuetto E Trio
Symphony No. 34 In D Minor - IV. Presto Assai
Symphony No. 35 In B Flat Major - I. Allegro Di Molto
Symphony No. 35 In B Flat Major - II. Andante
Symphony No. 35 In B Flat Major - III. Menuetto E Trio: Un Poco Allegretto
Symphony No. 35 In B Flat Major - IV. Presto
Symphony No. 36 In E Flat Major - I. Vivace
Symphony No. 36 In E Flat Major - II. Adagio
Symphony No. 36 In E Flat Major - III. Menuetto E Trio
Symphony No. 36 In E Flat Major - IV. Allegro-Presto
Symphony No. 37 In C Major - I. Presto
Symphony No. 37 In C Major - II. Menuet E Trio
Symphony No. 37 In C Major - III. Andante
Symphony No. 37 In C Major - IV. Presto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 38 In C Major - 'Echo' - I. Allegro Di Molto
Symphony No. 38 In C Major - 'Echo' - II. Andante Molto
Symphony No. 38 In C Major - 'Echo' - III. Menuet E Trio: Allegro
Symphony No. 38 In C Major - 'Echo' - IV. Finale: Allegro Di Molto
Symphony No. 39 In G Minor - I. Allegro Assai
Symphony No. 39 In G Minor - II. Andante
Symphony No. 39 In G Minor - III. Menuet E Trio
Symphony No. 39 In G Minor - IV. Finale
Symphony No. 40 In F Major - I. Allegro
Symphony No. 40 In F Major - II. Andante Piu Tosto Allegretto
Symphony No. 40 In F Major - III. Menuet E Trio
Symphony No. 40 In F Major - IV. Finale: Fuga
Symphony No. 41 In C Major - I. Allegro Con Spirito
Symphony No. 41 In C Major - II. Un Poco Andante
Symphony No. 41 In C Major - III. Menuet E Trio
Symphony No. 41 In C Major - IV. Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 42 In D Major - I. Moderato E Maestoso
Symphony No. 42 In D Major - II. Andantino E Cantabile
Symphony No. 42 In D Major - III. Menuet E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 42 In D Major - IV. Finale: Scherzando E Presto
Symphony No. 43 In E Flat Major - 'Merkur' - I. Allegro
Symphony No. 43 In E Flat Major - 'Merkur' - II. Adagio
Symphony No. 43 In E Flat Major - 'Merkur' - III. Menuetto E Trio
Symphony No. 43 In E Flat Major - 'Merkur' - IV. Finale: Allegro
Symphony No. 44 In E Minor - 'Trauer' ('Mourning') - I. Allegro Con Brio
Symphony No. 44 In E Minor - 'Trauer' ('Mourning') - II. Menuetto E Trio: Allegretto Canone In...
Symphony No. 44 In E Minor - 'Trauer' ('Mourning') - III. Adagio
Symphony No. 44 In E Minor - 'Trauer' ('Mourning') - IV. Presto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 45 In F Sharp Minor - 'Abschied' ('Farewell') - I. Allegro Assai
Symphony No. 45 In F Sharp Minor - 'Abschied' ('Farewell') - II. Adagio
Symphony No. 45 In F Sharp Minor - 'Abschied' ('Farewell') - III. Menuet E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 45 In F Sharp Minor - 'Abschied' ('Farewell') - IV. Finale: Presto E Adagio
Symphony No. 46 In B Major - I. Vivace
Symphony No. 46 In B Major - II. Poco Adagio
Symphony No. 46 In B Major - III. Menuet E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 46 In B Major - IV. Finale: Presto E Scherzando
Symphony No. 47 In G Major - I. Allegro
Symphony No. 47 In G Major - II. Un Poco Adagio, Cantabile
Symphony No. 47 In G Major - III. Menuet E Trio Al Roverso
Symphony No. 47 In G Major - IV. Finale: Presto Assai

Tracks:

Symphony No. 48 In C Major - 'Maria Theresia' - I. Allegro
Symphony No. 48 In C Major - 'Maria Theresia' - II. Adagio
Symphony No. 48 In C Major - 'Maria Theresia' - III. Menuet E Trio
Symphony No. 48 In C Major - 'Maria Theresia' - IV. Finale: Allegro
Symphony No. 49 In F Minor - 'La Passione' - I. Adagio
Symphony No. 49 In F Minor - 'La Passione' - II. Allegro Di Molto
Symphony No. 49 In F Minor - 'La Passione' - III. Menuet E Trio
Symphony No. 49 In F Minor - 'La Passione' - IV. Finale: Presto
Symphony No. 50 In C Major - I. Adagio E Maestoso
Symphony No. 50 In C Major - II. Andante Moderato
Symphony No. 50 In C Major - III. Menuet E Trio
Symphony No. 50 In C Major - IV. Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 51 In B Flat Major - I. Vivace
Symphony No. 51 In B Flat Major - II. Adagio
Symphony No. 51 In B Flat Major - III. Menuet, Trio I, Trio II
Symphony No. 51 In B Flat Major - IV. Finale: Allegro
Symphony No. 52 In C Minor - I. Allegro Assai Con Brio
Symphony No. 52 In C Minor - II. Andante
Symphony No. 52 In C Minor - III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 52 In C Minor - IV. Finale: Presto
Symphony No. 53 In D Major - 'L'Imperiale' - I. Largo Maestoso-Vivace
Symphony No. 53 In D Major - 'L'Imperiale' - II. Andante
Symphony No. 53 In D Major - 'L'Imperiale' - III. Menuetto E Trio
Symphony No. 53 In D Major - 'L'Imperiale' - IV. Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 54 In G Major - I. Adagio Maestoso-Presto
Symphony No. 54 In G Major - II. Adagio Assai
Symphony No. 54 In G Major - III. Menuet E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 54 In G Major - IV. Finale: Presto
Symphony No. 55 In E Flat Major - 'Der Schulmeister' ('The Schoolmaster') - I. Allegro Di Molto
Symphony No. 55 In E Flat Major - 'Der Schulmeister' ('The Schoolmaster') - II. Adagio, Ma...
Symphony No. 55 In E Flat Major - 'Der Schulmeister' ('The Schoolmaster') - III. Menuetto E Trio
Symphony No. 55 In E Flat Major - 'Der Schulmeister' ('The Schoolmaster') - IV. Finale: Presto
Symphony No. 56 In C Major - I. Allegro Di Molto
Symphony No. 56 In C Major - II. Adagio
Symphony No. 56 In C Major - III. Menuet E Trio
Symphony No. 56 In C Major - IV. Finale: Prestissimo

Tracks:

Symphony No. 57 In D Major - I. Adagio-[Allegro]
Symphony No. 57 In D Major - II. Adagio
Symphony No. 57 In D Major - III. Menuet E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 57 In D Major - IV. Finale: Prestissimo
Symphony No. 58 In F Major - I. Allegro
Symphony No. 58 In F Major - II. Andante
Symphony No. 58 In F Major - III. Menuet Alla Zoppa E Trio: Un Poco Allegretto
Symphony No. 58 In F Major - IV. Finale: Presto
Symphony No. 59 In A Major - 'Feuersymphonie' ('Fire') - I. Presto
Symphony No. 59 In A Major - 'Feuersymphonie' ('Fire') - II. Andante O Piu Tosto Allegretto
Symphony No. 59 In A Major - 'Feuersymphonie' ('Fire') - III. Menuet E Trio
Symphony No. 59 In A Major - 'Feuersymphonie' ('Fire') - IV. Allegro Assai

Tracks:

Symphony No. 60 In C Major - 'Il Distratto' - I. Adagio
Symphony No. 60 In C Major - 'Il Distratto' - II. Andante
Symphony No. 60 In C Major - 'Il Distratto' - III. Menuetto E Trio
Symphony No. 60 In C Major - 'Il Distratto' - IV. Presto
Symphony No. 60 In C Major - 'Il Distratto' - V. Adagio (Di Lamentatione)
Symphony No. 60 In C Major - 'Il Distratto' - VI. Finale: Prestissimo
Symphony No. 61 In D Major - I. Vivace
Symphony No. 61 In D Major - II. Adagio
Symphony No. 61 In D Major - III. Menuet E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 61 In D Major - IV. Prestissimo
Symphony No. 62 In D Major - I. Allegro
Symphony No. 62 In D Major - II. Allegretto
Symphony No. 62 In D Major - III. Menuet E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 62 In D Major - IV. Finale: Allegro

Tracks:

Symphony No. 63 In C Major - 'La Roxelane' - I. Allegro
Symphony No. 63 In C Major - 'La Roxelane' - II. Allegretto O Piu Tosto Allegro
Symphony No. 63 In C Major - 'La Roxelane' - III. Menuet E Trio
Symphony No. 63 In C Major - 'La Roxelane' - IV. Finale: Presto
Symphony No. 64 In A Major - I. Allegro Con Spirito
Symphony No. 64 In A Major - II. Largo
Symphony No. 64 In A Major - III. Menuet E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 64 In A Major - IV. Finale: Presto
Symphony No. 65 In A Major - I. Vivace E Con Spirito
Symphony No. 65 In A Major - II. Andante
Symphony No. 65 In A Major - III. Menuetto E Trio
Symphony No. 65 In A Major - IV. Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 66 In B Flat Major - I. Allegro Con Brio
Symphony No. 66 In B Flat Major - II. Adagio
Symphony No. 66 In B Flat Major - III. Menuetto E Trio
Symphony No. 66 In B Flat Major - IV. Finale: Scherzando E Presto
Symphony No. 67 In F Major - I. Presto
Symphony No. 67 In F Major - II. Adagio
Symphony No. 67 In F Major - III. Menuetto E Trio
Symphony No. 67 In F Major - IV. Finale: Allegro Di Molto-Adagio E Cantabile
Symphony No. 68 In B Flat Major - I. Vivace
Symphony No. 68 In B Flat Major - II. Menuetto E Trio
Symphony No. 68 In B Flat Major - III. Adagio Cantabile
Symphony No. 68 In B Flat Major - IV. Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 69 In C Major - 'Laudon' - I. Vivace
Symphony No. 69 In C Major - 'Laudon' - II. Un Poco Adagio Piu Tosto Andante
Symphony No. 69 In C Major - 'Laudon' - III. Menuetto E Trio
Symphony No. 69 In C Major - 'Laudon' - IV. Finale: Presto
Symphony No. 70 In D Major - I. Vivace Con Brio
Symphony No. 70 In D Major - II. Specie D'un Canone In Contrapunto Doppio: Andante
Symphony No. 70 In D Major - III. Menuet E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 70 In D Major - IV. Finale: Allegro Con Brio
Symphony No. 71 In B Flat Major - I. Allegro
Symphony No. 71 In B Flat Major - II. Adagio
Symphony No. 71 In B Flat Major - III. Menuet E Trio
Symphony No. 71 In B Flat Major - IV. Finale: Vivace

Tracks:

Symphony No. 72 In D Major - I. Allegro
Symphony No. 72 In D Major - II. Andante
Symphony No. 72 In D Major - III. Menuetto E Trio
Symphony No. 72 In D Major - IV. Thema Con Variazioni: Andante-Presto
Symphony No. 73 In D Major - 'La Chasse' - I. Adagio-Allegro
Symphony No. 73 In D Major - 'La Chasse' - II. Andante
Symphony No. 73 In D Major - 'La Chasse' - III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 73 In D Major - 'La Chasse' - IV. La Chasse: Presto
Symphony No. 74 In E Flat Major - I. Vivace Assai
Symphony No. 74 In E Flat Major - II. Adagio Cantabile
Symphony No. 74 In E Flat Major - III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 74 In E Flat Major - IV. Finale: Allegro Assai

Tracks:

Symphony No. 75 In D Major - I. Grave-Presto
Symphony No. 75 In D Major - II. Poco Adagio
Symphony No. 75 In D Major - III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 75 In D Major - IV. Finale: Vivace
Symphony No. 76 In E Flat Major - I. Allegro
Symphony No. 76 In E Flat Major - II. Adagio, Ma Non Troppo
Symphony No. 76 In E Flat Major - III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 76 In E Flat Major - IV. Finale: Vivace
Symphony No. 77 In B Flat Major - I. Vivace
Symphony No. 77 In B Flat Major - II. Andante Sostenuto
Symphony No. 77 In B Flat Major - III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegro
Symphony No. 77 In B Flat Major - IV. Finale: Allegro Spiritoso

Tracks:

Symphony No. 78 In C Minor - I. Vivace
Symphony No. 78 In C Minor - II. Adagio
Symphony No. 78 In C Minor - III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 78 In C Minor - IV. Finale: Presto
Symphony No. 79 In F Major - I. Allegro Con Spirito
Symphony No. 79 In F Major - II. Adagio Cantabile
Symphony No. 79 In F Major - III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 79 In F Major - IV. Finale: Vivace
Symphony No. 80 In D Minor - I. Allegro Spiritoso
Symphony No. 80 In D Minor - II. Adagio
Symphony No. 80 In D Minor - III. Menuetto E Trio
Symphony No. 80 In D Minor - IV. Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 81 In G Major - I. Vivace
Symphony No. 81 In G Major - II. Andante
Symphony No. 81 In G Major - III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 81 In G Major - IV. Finale: Allegro, Ma Non Troppo
Symphony No. 82 In C Major - 'L'Ours' ('The Bear') - I. Vivace Assai
Symphony No. 82 In C Major - 'L'Ours' ('The Bear') - II. Allegretto
Symphony No. 82 In C Major - 'L'Ours' ('The Bear') - III. Menuetto E Trio
Symphony No. 82 In C Major - 'L'Ours' ('The Bear') - IV. Finale: Vivace
Symphony No. 83 In G Minor - 'La Poule' ('The Hen') - I. Allegro Spiritoso
Symphony No. 83 In G Minor - 'La Poule' ('The Hen') - II. Andante
Symphony No. 83 In G Minor - 'La Poule' ('The Hen') - III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 83 In G Minor - 'La Poule' ('The Hen') - IV. Finale: Vivace

Tracks:

Symphony No. 84 In E Flat Major - I. Largo-Allegro
Symphony No. 84 In E Flat Major - II. Andante
Symphony No. 84 In E Flat Major - III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 84 In E Flat Major - IV. Finale: Vivace
Symphony No. 85 In B Flat Major - 'La Reine' - I. Adagio-Vivace
Symphony No. 85 In B Flat Major - 'La Reine' - II. Romance: Allegretto
Symphony No. 85 In B Flat Major - 'La Reine' - III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 85 In B Flat Major - 'La Reine' - IV. Finale: Presto
Symphony No. 86 In D Major - I. Adagio-Allegro Spiritoso
Symphony No. 86 In D Major - II. Capriccio: Largo
Symphony No. 86 In D Major - III. Menuet E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 86 In D Major - IV. Finale: Allegro Con Spirito

Tracks:

Symphony No. 87 In A Major - I. Vivace
Symphony No. 87 In A Major - II. Adagio
Symphony No. 87 In A Major - III. Menuet E Trio
Symphony No. 87 In A Major - IV. Finale: Vivace
Symphony No. 88 In G Major - I. Adagio-Allegro
Symphony No. 88 In G Major - II. Largo
Symphony No. 88 In G Major - III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 88 In G Major - IV. Finale: Allegro Con Spirito
Symphony No. 89 In F Major - I. Vivace
Symphony No. 89 In F Major - II. Andante Con Moto
Symphony No. 89 In F Major - III. Menuet E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 89 In F Major - IV. Finale: Vivace Assai

Tracks:

Symphony No. 90 In C Major - I. Adagio-Allegro Assai
Symphony No. 90 In C Major - II. Andante
Symphony No. 90 In C Major - III. Menuet E Trio
Symphony No. 90 In C Major - IV. Finale: Allegro Assai
Symphony No. 91 In E Flat Major - I. Largo-Allegro Assai
Symphony No. 91 In E Flat Major - II. Andante
Symphony No. 91 In E Flat Major - III. Menuet E Trio: Un Poco Allegretto
Symphony No. 91 In E Flat Major - IV. Finale: Vivace
Symphony No. 92 In G Major - 'Oxford' - I. Adagio-Allegro Spiritoso
Symphony No. 92 In G Major - 'Oxford' - II. Adagio
Symphony No. 92 In G Major - 'Oxford' - III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 92 In G Major - 'Oxford' - IV. Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 93 In D Major - I. Adagio-Allegro Assai
Symphony No. 93 In D Major - II. Largo Cantabile
Symphony No. 93 In D Major - III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegro
Symphony No. 93 In D Major - IV. Finale: Presto Ma Non Troppo
Symphony No. 94 In G Major - 'Surprise' ('Mit Dem Paukenschlag') - I. Adagio-Vivace Assai
Symphony No. 94 In G Major - 'Surprise' ('Mit Dem Paukenschlag') - II. Andante
Symphony No. 94 In G Major - 'Surprise' ('Mit Dem Paukenschlag') - III. Menuet E Trio: Allegro...
Symphony No. 94 In G Major - 'Surprise' ('Mit Dem Paukenschlag') - IV. Finale: Allegro Di Molto
Symphony No. 95 In C Minor - I. Allegro Moderato
Symphony No. 95 In C Minor - II. Andante Cantabile
Symphony No. 95 In C Minor - III. Menuet E Trio
Symphony No. 95 In C Minor - IV. Finale: Vivace

Tracks:

Symphony No. 96 In D Major - 'Miracle' - I. Adagio-Allegro
Symphony No. 96 In D Major - 'Miracle' - II. Andante
Symphony No. 96 In D Major - 'Miracle' - III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 96 In D Major - 'Miracle' - IV. Finale: Vivace
Symphony No. 97 In C Major - I. Adagio-Vivace
Symphony No. 97 In C Major - II. Adagio Ma Non Troppo
Symphony No. 97 In C Major - III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 97 In C Major - IV. Finale: Presto Assai
Symphony No. 98 In B Flat Major - I. Adagio-Allegro
Symphony No. 98 In B Flat Major - II. Adagio
Symphony No. 98 In B Flat Major - III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegro
Symphony No. 98 In B Flat Major - IV. Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 99 In E Flat Major - I. Adagio-Vivace Assai
Symphony No. 99 In E Flat Major - II. Adagio
Symphony No. 99 In E Flat Major - III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 99 In E Flat Major - IV. Finale: Vivace
Symphony No. 100 In G Major - 'Military' - I. Adagio-Allegro
Symphony No. 100 In G Major - 'Military' - II. Allegretto
Symphony No. 100 In G Major - 'Military' - III. Menuetto E Trio: Moderato
Symphony No. 100 In G Major - 'Military' - IV. Finale: Presto
Sinfonia Concertante In B Flat Major - I. Allegro
Sinfonia Concertante In B Flat Major - II. Andante
Sinfonia Concertante In B Flat Major - III. Allegro Con Spirito

Tracks:

Symphony No. 101 In D Major - 'The Clock' ('L'Horloge') - I. Adagio-Presto
Symphony No. 101 In D Major - 'The Clock' ('L'Horloge') - II. Andante
Symphony No. 101 In D Major - 'The Clock' ('L'Horloge') - III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 101 In D Major - 'The Clock' ('L'Horloge') - IV. Finale: Vivace
Symphony No. 102 In B Flat Major - I. Largo-Vivace
Symphony No. 102 In B Flat Major - II. Adagio
Symphony No. 102 In B Flat Major - III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegro
Symphony No. 102 In B Flat Major - IV. Finale: Presto
Symphony 'A' In B Flat Major - I. Allegro
Symphony 'A' In B Flat Major - II. Andante
Symphony 'A' In B Flat Major - III. Allegro Molto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 103 In E Flat Major - 'Drum-roll' - I. Adagio-Allegro Con Spirito
Symphony No. 103 In E Flat Major - 'Drum-roll' - II. Andante, Piu Tosto Allegretto
Symphony No. 103 In E Flat Major - 'Drum-roll' - III. Menuetto E Trio
Symphony No. 103 In E Flat Major - 'Drum-roll' - IV. Finale: Allegro Con Spirito
Symphony No. 104 In D Major - 'London' - I. Adagio-Allegro
Symphony No. 104 In D Major - 'London' - II. Andante
Symphony No. 104 In D Major - 'London' - III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegro
Symphony No. 104 In D Major - 'London' - IV. Finale: Spiritoso
Symphony 'B' In B Flat Major - I. Allegro Molto
Symphony 'B' In B Flat Major - II. Menuetto E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony 'B' In B Flat Major - III. Andante
Symphony 'B' In B Flat Major - IV. Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 22 In E Flat Major - 'The Philosopher' (2nd Version) - I. Presto
Symphony No. 22 In E Flat Major - 'The Philosopher' (2nd Version) - II. Andante Grazioso
Symphony No. 22 In E Flat Major - 'The Philosopher' (2nd Version) - III. Finale: Presto
Symphony No. 53 In D Major - 'L'Imperiale' - Alternative Ending A - Finale. Capriccio: Moderato
Symphony No. 53 In D Major - 'L'Imperiale' - Alternative Ending C - Presto
Symphony No. 53 In D Major - 'L'Imperiale' - Alternative Ending D - 'Overture In D': Presto
Symphony No. 63 In C Major - 'La Roxelane' (1st Version) - I. Allegro
Symphony No. 63 In C Major - 'La Roxelane' (1st Version) - II. Allegretto 'La Roxelane'
Symphony No. 63 In C Major - 'La Roxelane' (1st Version) - III. Menuet E Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No. 63 In C Major - 'La Roxelane' (1st Version) - IV. Finale: Prestissimo
Symphony No. 103 In E Flat Major - 'Drum-roll' - Alternative Ending - Finale: Allegro Con Spirito

Amazon.com

Another monument in the history of recording, this is the only set of Haydn symphonies that ever reached completion, and the performances are generally so good as to bear comparison with many of the best individual performances. The music itself is astounding--107 symphonies, all of them good, many of them shattering masterpieces. Haydn invented the Classical style, which, along with the contributions from his friend Mozart and his student Beethoven, became the standard by which all future music was measured. At a budget price, owning this set is like being able to have your own authentic copy of the "Mona Lisa" for a couple hundred dollars. Awesome! --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

A superb milestone.......2007-05-01

Antal Dorati's pioneering, complete cycle of Haydn's symphonies is a milestone in recording history. Here it is incarnated on 33 CDs. What you get are outstanding, superb performances. The orchestra - Hungarica Philharmonia - is just wonderful, and the interpretations are remarkable in their attention to detail and structure. In addition, the Decca analogue sound has never been better than here. The booklet is also excellent.

Dorati's pioneering efforts included also the Haydn operas, which recently have been collected and released in two boxes from Philips, and the 24 Minuets (Decca).

What about the competition, then? Adam Fischer's Haydn project on Nimbus offers also a complete cycle, now on Brilliant Classics at a bargain price for a very big box with 33 CDs and a brief booklet. Well, for one thing, Dorati's set is the classic cycle. Further, Dorati's readings are less extravagant than Fischer's - and in my view preferable. The sound is also better in the earlier Dorati set: a warm analogue sound in contrast to Fischer's chilly, all-digital sound, which also is very uneven. But Fischer's Haydn is less expensive: you can get his cycle for less than $100 from second-hand dealers. Despite that, Dorati's cycle should be your first choice. Moreover, if shelf space is an issue, the Dorati box is one inch slimmer and a half inch less tall.

Furthermore, there are selections of symphonies from Jochum (DG) and Scherchen (DG), of which I hold the latter in higher esteem due to its idiosyncrasy. In retrospect, however, Dorati's complete cycle has a unique classic status and is as such unchallenged. Thus I warmly recommend it as a part of the foundation of your collection in addition to Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Mahler, and Mozart symphony cycles, because this is delightful music that will last for a lifetime on a desert island.

[Note: this box is available brand new at amazon.co.uk, for £98.87.]

For the sheer pleasure of them all...........2006-11-11

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.

Antal Dorati's Claim To Fame.......2005-10-14

If it wasn't for this massive recording project, Hungarian-born conductor Antal Dorati would not have been acknowledged as a first-classconductor at a time when such giants as Leopold Stokowski, Herbert Von Karajan, George Solti and Leonard Bernstein were still conducting. Dorati is an exemplary exponent of classical music, which is also to say Classical Era music (1750-1800). Nevertheless, even if Dorati has a superb touch for this kind of repertoire, he is equally as brilliant in 20th century music and Romantic Era music, as his Tchaikovsky symphonies and ballets have proven. At an expensive price, this recording is still worth it. It's a legend in recorded history of classical music. No other conductor dared to take on such a monumental project as to record all 100 and plus symphonies of Franz Joseph Haydn, the composer who by definition began the movement of Classical Era music. It was Mozart, who was his younger friend, that is better known today for this kind of music and moreover, musicologists believe he refined and perfected the style. But don't underestimate Papa Haydn. His music is beautiful, bursting with energy and lightness, elegance, warmth and melodic harmony that is so refreshing to hear especially in our own time which is full of stress.

Haydn's symphonies are not all similar sounding. Each symphony was unique, like the hand prints on people. Yes, at times they do tend to sound the same, possibly because so many of them were in the key of D. Nevertheless, they are music of individual merit. As his symphonies approached its later years and maturation, Haydn employed slights of ear and orchestral innovations that were considered new and bold in his time. The "surprise" in his "Surprise Symphony" is a thunderous "bang" in fortissimo by the orchestra after a melody that is rather bland and sleepy (which to me sounds like "Mary Had A Little Lamb"). The "Clock" Symphony is measured in a kind of "tick-tock" beat and is very very elegant and memorable, as it conjures up the image of a Rococco clock or a clock museum. The Paris Symphonies are an Austrian-German man's "trip" to Paris and his interpretation of French music. It sounds nothing at all like French music at the time although at times it nearly slips into the slow grandeur of the music of Baroque master Jean Baptiste Lully. The London Symphonies are among his best, with a kind of majesty and pomp typically associated with English royalty. If you listen carefully it's in the music. A similar thing occurs in the music to the "Oxford" Symphony. Haydn had visited Oxford to teach music and was awarded a doctorate. He composed music for that special event and the music is brooding, intellectual and somehow very very English.

Antal Dorati and his formidable Hungarica Philharmonica is at their very best in this set. The sound is crisp, gleaming and unbeatable. Even if you get the individualized sets of these symphonies, you will be treating yourself to some top-notch classical music. A must have for fans of Antal Dorati.

A major milestone in recorded music, stunning achievement.......2005-03-29

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.

Dorati blazed the trail for Haydn interpreters.......2004-11-12

I've owned this complete set of Haydn symphonies for at least a decade or more. While I enjoy period instrument sound and performance practice, you cannot get a complete set on period instruments (I was hoping Hogwood would finish his cycle but I understand it wasn't to be). In all honesty, I think the best period instrument interpretations outdo the modern instrument recordings in sheer energy amd agility, but in respect of modern instruments, Dorati, the pioneer, does an extraordinary job of bringing out the essential flavor and energy that was Haydn's symphonies. I don't like mixing and matching various orchestras and conductors, so buying this 32 CD set gets you all 104+ symphonies in one tidy package. The sound quality is very good considering the times, with a very forward midrange.

Average customer rating:

Fine readings, but the sonics are primitive and the orchestra slapdash
Wonderful historic set for Haydn symphony fans
Glorious, absolutely fabulous Haydn
Brash and Gutsy Haydn Performances
Benchmark Haydn Recordings

The 1950s Haydn Symphonies Recordings

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Customer Reviews:

Fine readings, but the sonics are primitive and the orchestra slapdash.......2007-03-10

Amazon has a small contingency of fanciers for historical recordings, and some get so carried away that "old means better" is their undying motto. I'm not sure they serve newcomers well, who haven't been around long enough to remember how scrappy and poorly recorded these origianl Westminster mono recordings were. They still sound dry and cramped, and the Vienna State Opera Orch., which is technically the fearm team, so to speak, that feeds into the Vienna Phil., plays with a puzzling lack of finish, to the point of crudity.

Is Scherchen such a genius that none of these debits matter? To read the other reviewers here you'd think he msut be. But to my ears he's brisk, direct, and rather underwhelming here. Take his versions of Sym. #44, 95, and 98, which directly compete with a dazzling historical recording from Ferenc Fricsay, also in mono from DG. The comparison instantly shows which readings are more imaginative and better played.

Mr. Lipscomb says he listened to a lot of pleasant Haydn that doesn't reach up to Scherchen's brilliance. Really? Somehow he failed to listen to Tsocanini, Fricsay, Furtwangler, Walter, and Beecham, all great Haydn interpreters from the past. I'm afraid he's loaded the dice, but you'd have to in order to find magic here.

Wonderful historic set for Haydn symphony fans.......2005-01-01

I agree with the other reviewers that this in an excellent set. I found this set used locally for $30, so at $5/disc it was a real bargain. It should be mentioned that only Symphony #45 is in stereo, but sound on the other symphonies is clear-enough mono. The old Westminster LP pressings were often noisy (even when new) so listening to this music sans extra noise is a real benefit. I would not want to be without my set of the "London" symphonies conducted by Jochum made with the London Philharmonic back in the early 1970's (also available in a bargain box on DG, by the way) but is fascinating to compare and contrast their interpretations.

Glorious, absolutely fabulous Haydn.......2004-08-02

Beecham might be charming and witty and Szell might be nicely precise and sparkling, but Scherchen's Haydn resonates from its own planet. It is rich, caring and soulful---the kind, I feel, that provides deep and lasting satisfaction. The level of quality in these interpretations is never in question. For example, start with Symphony 49 and ask yourself as the first movement unfolds if ever before you have heard Haydn played so marvelously, with this sort of depth and noble feeling. Then revel in the rhythm and rich texture of the second movement, the wonderfully tuneful, striding expression of the third and , finally, the attractive vibrancy of the short lived final movement. If this performance doesn't move you or give you real satisfaction I don't know what will.

There are many moments in this set where string work in particular is articulated with telling and beautifully shaped detail. In Symphony 92 ("Oxford") an absolute rightness prevails with respect to Scherchen's musical compass, especially in the second movement. In Symphony 88 the largo may be slow, but listen to the heartfelt expressiveness elicited by the conductor. Next, hear the magical weaving of melody he displays in the menuetto, and lastly, the joie de vivre he invests the finale with.

Another area where Scherchen excels is in dynamic shading and power. Symphony 93 is exemplary here and so is the conductor's passion....Scherchen also enhances nicely the wonderful air of stately sentiment that illuminates Symphonies 99 and 104....And the plaudits go on. By the way, the sound is quite fine.

While this set obviously will not entirely satisfy every purchaser or would be purchaser, including some of those great Haydn lovers ( although, within reason, I don't see why not ) I consider it an extremely gratifying collection. Certainly, there are a few moments where I might prefer a slight touch of the characteristic Szell or Beecham approaches. But, I think I could live solely and quite easily with Scherchen's committed performances for an indefinite period of time. Not many conductors can offer such consistent quality in so fairly wide a range of symphonic output. If I were you I wouldn't wait to let this one lapse into discontinuance.

Brash and Gutsy Haydn Performances.......2004-07-28

Back when almost all conductors favored a lush and warm big band sound for Haydn, that fascinating maverick Hermann Scherchen opted for a much leaner, grittier performance style. As a result, Scherchen's 1950s Westminster Haydn recordings, seen with the benefit of hindsight, seem to foreshadow the preferences of today's period style conductors like Norrington and Harnoncourt. But however you view them, these recordings still sound refreshing today because of the rhythmic vigor and drama Scherchen consistently projects. In fact, no other conductor so persuasively establishes the linkages between Haydn and Beethoven as Scherchen does, but without forcing Haydn into an anachronistic Beethoven sound world. For this reissue, Deutsche Grammophon's Emil Berliner studios have excellently re-processed Westminster's master tapes (mono, with one exception) and the resulting CDs are astonishingly vibrant considering that the masters are about 50 years old. As with all Scherchen recordings, expect some hell-for-leather tempos and ragged ensemble ... Scherchen was not at all interested in manufacturing sterile, well-manicured artifacts in the recording studio, and this is raw, not elegant, Haydn playing. The laendlers and minuet movements in particular postively burst with elemental energy, eloquently revealing this so-sophisticated composer's rural origins (in the Austrian Burgenland) and peasant roots. Really unique music-making!

Benchmark Haydn Recordings.......2004-07-12

DG Westminster has really done themselves proud with this superb release: ALL of Scherchen's incisive and expressive Haydn symphony recordings in excellent transfers. I have the original LP versions and can say that these transfers are excellent save for a momentary slip in pitch in the first mvt. of 96. I have heard persistent rumors of late that DG is going to discontinue its Scherchen series. If so, at least they have given us a most memorable "swan song" here.

My entry into the world of Scherchen's Haydn was the purchase, some thirty years ago, of Westminster LP WL 5206, which coupled #44 ("Trauer") and #49 ("La Passione"). These "sturm und drang" symphonies bowled me over then and they still do: Scherchen's eloquence in these works remains unsurpassed.

Since then I have made some effort to hear any number of newer recordings by the likes of Weil, Fischer, Goodman, Hogwood, Bruggen, Kuijken et al. Here and there I found a likeable, stylish performance - but somehow they all lacked the keenly inquisitive Scherchen touch and the sheer joy of discovery that permeates these older recordings. In the later works I have found Jochum to be well-played but rather unimaginative, while the Colin Davis London Symphonies on Philips have a sort of fatuous energy that I find a bit tiresome.

It's been said that you have to risk the ridiculous in order to achieve the sublime. Here and there Scherchen adopts a seemingly indefensible tempo - either blisteringly fast or lugubriously slow - and it works out better in some instances than in others. His "Largo" in #88 is even slower than Furtwangler's - but somehow it coheres beautifully. One of the most delightful performances in this set is #45 "Farewell," in which the musicians depart one by one during the last movement. On the one occasion that I heard this work "live," the players all had candles on their music stands that were snuffed out as they departed. That visual correlative is impossible to achieve on a recording, so instead Scherchen has each of his players whisper "Auf Wedersehn" as they leave the stage. It's utterly charming. Scherchen also recorded a lovely #48 for Ultraphon (not included here) that can be found on a Tahra CD set.

Here and there I have co-favorites in these symphonies, such as Rosbaud's 92, Fricsay's 98, Matacic's 103, and Woldike's 99-104. But as an entity, these Scherchen readings can hold their own against all comers. They are the inspired legacy of a remarkably penetrating and adventurous mind.

Highest recommendation.

Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 94, 96, 104
Average customer rating:

No Sleep without this album. 4 out of 5 stars.

A glorious mess

Am I the only one who gets it?

Way to spacy and weird for me

Swirling, bizarre, unique, strange...exceptional

Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 94, 96, 104
Karajan , and Berliner Philharmoniker
Manufacturer: Universal/Archiv
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Customer Reviews:

No Sleep without this album. 4 out of 5 stars........2007-05-08

I'm being a bit cryptic by saying "No sleep without this album". That's just my way of saying "How on Earth can Midnight Oil have released two compilations without the song "Sleep" on them?

Prior to re-listening to this album around a year ago or so, I would have said that the best tracks on it were "When the generals talk" and "Best of both worlds". But then I realised that a song of their that I liked but didn't know the name of was here...it was "Sleep". THIS is the album where it appears, and it is, I think, a lost classic of this band. I think that they used to play this song more in their shows than they did later...it got lost somewhere.

"Sleep" is, as far as I can tell, a song about Aboriginal deaths in custody, or, perhaps, Aboriginal beatings in prison. Not really sure-the lyrics are suggestive without being definitive. It starts with a drum roll and a very pretty accoustic guitar strumming pattern is set up. When the backing singers start singing the title and the keyboard [or maybe horn] plays out its melody, the sound is unutterably beautiful. Lyrically, the song is satisfying and the lead singer Garrett pounds out the syllables at times, to great effect. The song does feature some studio effects that were initially off-putting but don't bother me so much now. The stand out track on this album.

The album opens with odd sounding song "When the generals talk". Maybe I liked this song more years ago, but now I'm not so hot on it. It has a weird drum pattern but witty lyrics "Sitting on the fence both ears to the ground". The guitars sound 'dirty' in this song. Some reviewers here have commented that the song is about the military, but if you listen closely to the lyrics it becomes clear exactly what generals Garrett is singing about [i.e. the part where he 'raps' the lyrics].

My pick as the best song after "Sleep" is "The best of both worlds". Pretty much the opening three songs have engaging qualities but also parts where the lyrics fall down or what have you. "The best of best worlds" has some really good singalong lyrics but the slow lyrics don't sit too well with me. Anyway, the song opens in frenetic fashion with some cool brass sounds and cool, dirty riff. Some parts of the guitar bits in this song are reminiscent of Van Halen, circa "1984". Think that the Oils may have sounded a bit like Van Halen before Van Halen did! There are some good overlapping vocals at the end of the song.

Having relistened to this album again after a while, I must say that the song "Jimmy Sharman's boxers" has grown on me. This is a song about an actual person who has an actual touring show where members of the public pay to fight Sharman's own boxers. The song opens with a sample of someone spruiking for the show...not sure if it is Jimmy Sharman himself. The music then becomes other-worldly...the guitars do something similar to what Dire Straits do with the guitar riff in "Industrial disease" except Midnight Oil's guitars sound ethereal. It's terrific. Rob Hirst's drums sound like a shot-gun at times and then he provides an apt, boxer at a speed-ball drum rhythym. Some interesting lyrics include "Their days are darker than your nights" and "Why are we fighting for this? Why are you paying for this? You pay to see me fall like shrapnel to the floor". This is the longest song on the album at around 7 1/2 minutes.

It's immediately followed by the shortest track on the album, "Bakerman", which less than a minute long. It's an odd track with a marching band arrangement.

One song that I particularly like is the very atmospheric "Harrisburg". This is an actual city in the US but I'm not sure if the song is as grounded in reality as "Jimmy Sharman's boxers"...perhaps Harrisburg had it's own nuclear reactor 'problem' as happened on Three Mile Island. It has a stunning opening of a rhythmic expiration of breath. An organ comes in and there is a vague similarity of stylistic intent as found in Pink Floyd's song "Money". The chorus is somewhat childlike...as in a nursery rhyme chant. There is the pointed lyric of "It's stuff that's twenty times hotter than the hottest stuff in Hell".

I didn't know that the leader singer, Peter Garrett, was a Christian, but once I found out, I did pick out such Christian references when I relistened to albums by the Oils. One such reference is found in the song "Who can stand in the way" [a lyric following this in the song is "Who can stand in the way when there is a dollar to be made"]. That reference is "If Christ were here...". I did find elements of this song Beatle-esque and there is lovely tubular bells sounding instrument in this song...or maybe it is glass being played. The other Christian reference I picked up was in the song "Minutes to midnight" which has the lyric "God is a good man".

The song "Kosciusko" is catchy with a nice beat and featuring violins. That song bleeds into the, what I'd call 'American sounding' song "Helps me help you". This song has didgeridoos in the introduction. Guitars in this song have a 1950's rock'n'roll sound to them. It's a song about greed and materialism-featuring the lyric "look at all the toys I've got".

Another song featuring tubular bells or some such is "Bells and horns in the back of beyond". A harmonica or piano-accordian, perhaps, also features. It's a trippy, ethereal, avante garde style of music. The guitars sound, alternatively, country and surf style. The drumming is quite punchy in the song too...a la the rhythm a boxer creates when punching the speed ball. An organ also features as do some banshees, perhaps!

The last track, "Shipyards of New Zealand" features something like a glockenspiel, or whathaveyou. Violins feature and the guitar sounds quite 'dirty' at times.

One reviewer here likened this album to The Beatles' White album. I've reviewed that album here. The comparison I like to make with Oils albums is with another band I put in their league...The Red Hot Chili Peppers. The two Oils albums I class as "great" are "10,....,1" and "Diesel and dust". These two albums form a natural parallel with the Peppers' "Blood sugar sex magik" and "Californication". By this I mean the "10-1" album is great by virtue of 4 great songs which appear on it, and "Diesel and dust is great" by virtue of being rich in quality songs, though not necessarily great songs. For me, "Red sails in the sunset" is analogous to the Peppers "One hot minute". They both have a couple of quality tracks but the rest of the album is by no means 'filler' and there are, in fact, many gems to be found in the rest of the album.

I've got more Midnight Oil albums than I would otherwise have had, purely because I went for the 'value' option of getting bundle cds. The album I wanted, "10-1" was bundled with "Red sails in the sunset" and "Place without a postcard" whilst the album I really wanted, "Diesel and dust" was bundled with "Blue sky mining". At least one of those bundles is available here on Amazon though perhaps not quite on as good as terms as I got here in Australia, where these albums were made.

For me, "10-1" and "Diesel and dust" are amongst the greatest albums ever released, by anyone. "Red sails" and "Blue sky mining" are both very good albums and would vie with eachother for the mantle of the third best Midnight Oil album of all time. As for "Place without a postcard"...that's a very odd and quirky album...unlike anything I've heard by the Oils.

Since you can't get "Sleep" on any Oils compilation, I HIGHLY recommend "Red sails in the sunset". I think that the cover art for this album must rank as one of the all time great album covers too.

A glorious mess.......2005-05-08

In many ways, this is Midnight Oil's "White Album." I say that mostly because of the extreme shifts in style and tone as one moves from one song to another. It takes a great deal of skill and, dare I say, panache to pull this off. To the Oils' credit, they manage to do it.

You know that MO is headed into relatively uncharted territory right from the start when Rob Hirst (not Peter Garrett) takes the lead vocal on the opening track. Garrett for his part does one of his patented talk-overs/raps in the middle eight, but this is definitely Hirst's show. "Best of Both Worlds" finds MO at its hard-rocking best and features great performances all around, including one of Jim Moginie's best solos. It's definitely one of the Oils' best tracks - well-written, well-performed, and well-recorded. The rest of the first half of the CD is not quite as strong, but "Sleep" is a great song about the homeless, "Minutes to Midnight" is a fairly compelling song about the impending apocalypse, and "Jimmy Sharman's Boxers" is an excellent look at the exploitation of the Aboriginies, the main them of the band's next album.

The second half of the CD opens again with a potent 1-2 punch. Both "Who Can Stand in the Way" and "Kosciusko" feature almost gut-wrenching changes in tone and arrangement. "Kosciusko" is again one of the band's better and harder rockers. The rest of the CD is a little less stunning, but still great. I'm one of those fans who actually likes the experimental tracks like "Harrisburg" and "Bells and Whistles in the Back of Beyond" or whatever it's called.

As I stated at the beginning, the material on the CD is so diverse that to some it may come across as a mess. Midnight Oil somehow ties it all together by following many of the same lyrical themes throughout the recording. Because of this the record comes across as a unified work rather than a collection of songs by a band desperately trying to find some direction. All things considered, this was a very strong prelude to the masterpiece (D&D) that was to follow.

Am I the only one who gets it?.......2005-05-06

Red Sails is a masterpiece, and I'm a bit shocked to find a number of online reviews that sell this album way short. This is, for me, the best of all Oil albums, with possible exception of Blue Sky Mining. The genius of Midnight Oil was the ability to convey their message through so many different musical approaches. They were not one-dimensional at all. Red Sails is the best example of this. "Sleep," "Jimmy Sharman's Boxers," "Who Can Stand in the Way," and "Kosciusko" are the strong points of the album. Everything else, other than the pointless instrumental, "Bakerman," supports the album very well from beginning to end. The fact that some of the other reviewers don't follow where this album goes should be taken as a sign that Red Sails is quite distinctive. In this case, this distinctiveness was the mark of one of the greatest rock bands of all time taking chances and playing by their own rules.

Way to spacy and weird for me.......2005-02-22

As a long time fan of Midnight Oil, this CD is very surprising to me. 'Red Sail in the Sunset' is a release that is so un- Midnight Oilish. There is no method to the songs and in no order so the CD sounds spacy and weird. Makes me wonder what Peter Garrett and members were doing whilst recording this CD. Only one song stands out in this release and that is 'Kosciusko'. The rest of the songs are forgettable and I know this CD will be the least played album in my home.

Swirling, bizarre, unique, strange...exceptional.......2004-08-25

This is a "grower" if there ever was one. I remember, as a 16 year old, being very confused by Red Sails In The Sunset considering my only exposure to Midnight Oil was based on Diesel & Dust and Earth and Sun and Moon, stylistically tame by comparison. It's not that Red Sails In The Sunset is weak or has a lack of focus; it's just not that accesible on first listen. Or second listen. You will have to give it some time.

To put it simply, of all of Midnight Oil's albums, this is their most sprawling and weird. Most of the guitar parts have a warbling sound to their attack, Jim Moginie goes keyboard happy towards the second half of the album, Rob Hirst takes the lead vocals on two songs, and the lyrics of Garrett, Hirst, and Moginie spread themselves over everything from cryptic to explicit. On top of all of that, the mix comes across a little muffled and makes the whole thing sound like a passive-aggressive romp.

But they are still politically charged, musical experimentation being no exception. Best of Both Worlds is a regrettably chilling account of the cold war possibly turning into a nuclear holocaust. Jimmy Sharman's Boxers drives the guilt right into sports spectating: "Why are you paying for this?/You pay to see me fall like shrapnel to the floor." When The Generals Talk, sung by Hirst, makes for a very puzzling opener as disco beats compete with a modern commentary that highly-ranked military men make the best public speakers.

And most of all, lyricall speaking, I enjoy Who Can Stand In The Way's preaching against the dangers of capitalism: "If Christ were here he'd camera check/He's cry so loud the planes would stop/He'd cry so loud the earth would shake/And men would fall in tinsel town...Who can stand in the way when there's a dollar to be made?" And musically I always get caught up with the woozy sounding Sleep and the slappy-yet-unplayful Minutes to Midnight.

With such a wide array of albums accompanied by a top 40 hit, it's easy to overlook the fact that in 1984, Midnight Oil quickly recorded an odd egg that slipped under the radar. But if you find it, there is easily a lifetime's worth of challenging pop to disect and devour. I did, and I'm glad.