Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 44-49

1. Symphony No. 44 in E minor ("Trauer" /"Funeral"/"Letter E"), H. 1/44
Composed by Franz Joseph Haydn
Conducted by Jerzy Maksymiuk

2. Symphony No. 45 in F sharp minor ("Farewell"/"Candle"/"Letter B"), H. 1/45
Composed by Franz Joseph Haydn
Conducted by Jerzy Maksymiuk

3. Symphony No. 46 in B major, H. 1/46
Composed by Franz Joseph Haydn
Conducted by Jerzy Maksymiuk

4. Symphony No. 47 in G major ("The Palindrome"/"Letter L"), H. 1/47
Composed by Franz Joseph Haydn
Conducted by Jerzy Maksymiuk

5. Symphony No. 48 in C major ("Maria Theresia"), H. 1/48
Composed by Franz Joseph Haydn
Conducted by Jerzy Maksymiuk

6. Symphony No. 49 in F minor ("La passione"), H. 1/49
Composed by Franz Joseph Haydn
Conducted by Jerzy Maksymiuk

Tracks:

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 & Trio
Symphony No.40 In F Major: IV. Final - Fuga: Allegro
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 & Trio
Symphony No.41 In C Major: IV. Finale: Presto
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 & Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No.42 In D Major: IV. Finale: Scherzando e presto

Tracks:

Symphony No.43 In E Flat Major: I. Allegro
Symphony No.43 In E Flat Major: II. Adagio
Symphony No.43 In E Flat Major: III. Menuetto & Trio
Symphony No.43 In E Flat Major: IV. Finale: Allegro
Symphony No.44 In E Minor: I. Allegro con brio
Symphony No.44 In E Minor: II. Menuetto & Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No.44 In E Minor: III. Adagio
Symphony No.44 In E Minor: IV. Finale: Presto
Symphony No.45 In F Sharp Minor: I. Allegro assai
Symphony No.45 In F Sharp Minor: II. Adagio
Symphony No.45 In F Sharp Minor: III. Menuet & Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No.45 In F Sharp Minor: IV. Finale: Presto - Adagio

Tracks:

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 & Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No.46 In B Major: IV. Finale: Presto e scherzando - L'istesso Tempo di Menuet
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 & Trio
Symphony No.47 In G Major: IV. Finale: Presto assai
Symphony No.48 In C Major: I. Allegro
Symphony No.48 In C Major: II. Adagio
Symphony No.48 In C Major: III. Menuet & Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No.48 In C Major: IV. Finale: Allegro

Tracks:

Symphony No.49 In F Minor: I. Adagio
Symphony No.49 In F Minor: II. Allegro di molto
Symphony No.49 In F Minor: III. Menuet & Trio
Symphony No.49 In F Minor: IV. Finale: Presto
Symphony No.50 In C Major: I. Adagio e maestoso - Allegro di molto
Symphony No.50 In C Major: II. Andante moderato
Symphony No.50 In C Major: III. Menuet & Trio
Symphony No.50 In C Major: IV. Finale: Presto
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. Menuetto - Trio I - Trio II
Symphony No.51 In B Flat Major: IV. Finale: Allegro

Tracks:

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 & 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 & Trio
Symphony No.53 In D Major, L'Imperiale: IV. Finale. Capriccio: Presto
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 & Trio: Allegretto
Symphony No.54 In G Major: IV. Finale: Presto

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.

Some of the finest modern Haydn.......2006-09-08

This set of Adam Fischer's traversal of Haydn's symphonies is perhaps the jewel of the entire series. After over a decade of Haydn performing and recording most of early bugs in recording venue and playing together had long been resolved, and the group as here constituted plays with great confidence and tremendous brio. This is a vital selection, too, containing some of Haydn's very best symphonies, worthy to stand with the greatest of all. And a few, the serious "Sturm und Drang", have the most passionate and serious symphonic music Haydn composed.
The general level of playing is very high, especially among the soloists, but there are some lapses which can cause a raised eyebrow, however, these are not so common as to prove bothersome. I prefer this groups easy way with Haydn to the slightly frentic quality too often popping up with historic groups efforts in these pieces, a tendency made worse by their notoriously anemic string sections, at least as realized on the digital medium. I am delighted to report that Fischer's orchestra of 'modern instruments' (A funny phrase when you realize some of the violins used may pre-date Haydn!) capture almost all of the delightful color contrasts and lightness found in Haydn when played by original groups without thinning out and sacrificing beauty of ensemble.
In comparisions with my admitted ridiculously excessive Haydn collection I was especially pleased at how well the performances on this Cd set stood up to many of my all-time favorite performances in this music. Moreover, they almost always have a little bit different take on one movement or another in every work, offering the delight of a new window onto this most evergreen of composers. Some of the solo work is especially memorable, and I found myself replaying favorite movements - a sure sign of a winning collection. I preferred these to another modern set, the performances found on Helios with Goodman and the Hanover Band; it's impossible not to notice the greater finesse displayed by Fischer's strings. Too, Goodman's way with these works, though never foursquare and certainly well-conceived and in places genuinely searching, rarely captures the personailty and wit bubbling over so constantly in the Fischer set. And personality and wit are certainly major staples in Haydn's recipe book.
If you already own later symphonies but do not have any from this period then this would be a great catch. The major competition in this group of middle symphonies, the Pinnock, was not as well recorded, and I personally think the Fischer are slightly better performances to boot.
Try starting out with Symphony 48 - you might be surprised such a work was written so early!

This man's (Haydn's) fecundity was breathtaking!.......2004-11-14

For some reason, many music lovers seem to think that Haydn's first worthwhile Symphony was #94. Well, I haven't heard them all yet (although I've heard at least half of them), but I can happily verify that the variety and consistent excellence of the entire series of 104 symphonies - including the first 93 - have no equal anywhere in all of music literature; - that's right, ANYWHERE, including the Mozart in comparison to whom Haydn is often unfairly disparaged. Mozart composed 40 symphonies (#37 isn't his), but the first 20 are almost never performed because they're simply forgettable.

Not so with Haydn. I won't claim that all 15 symphonies in this collection are masterpieces, but several of them are, and NONE of them are duds. How this man managed to maintain his flow of wonderful musical ideas, decade after decade, is one of the most remarkable mysteries in the history of human achievement. Remember, in addition to 104 symphonies, he produced what is arguably the largest collection of truly outstanding chamber music by any composer in history, including INVENTING the string quartet as we know it today. In his spare time, he composed what is still today probably the best concerto for trumpet and orchestra ever written, as well as the magnificent oratorio "The Creation" and other works of consistent excellence, too numerous to mention. Why, oh why, when the discussion turns to "Who was the greatest composer of all time?", does the conversation center exclusively around Beethoven, Bach, and Mozart (with a few people parading their avant-garde credentials by advocating Stravinsky's consistently ugly "music")? Haydn does not take a back seat to any of those people.

With regard to the specific works and performances on these CD's, you are unlikely to ever do better than this set. The sound is very fine, if lacking in the latest word in brilliance that you can sometimes get on the very latest state-of-the-art recordings. Fischer obviously loves these works, and the orchestra plays with warmth and enthusiasm.

Get this set now! There is a distressing (I would actually use the word "sickening") trend toward recording any piece composed prior to Beethoven on those indescribably ugly "original instruments" that are all the rage now. In the future you might find it difficult to get recordings of these works performed on listenable instruments. So buy it!

Great performances with great acoustics.......2001-03-06

These performances are paced just right and the Haydn Orchestra brings a crispness and vitality to these works I've not heard on other recordings. This is not just another "good for a discount set" kind of collection. These recordings are first rate. I plan on acquiring all the volumes in this set, and the affordable pricing makes that achievable. I hope they tackle the complete Mozart Symphonies next. Highly recommend.

Another great volume in the collection.......2000-12-23

When you compose over 100 symphonies there are bound to be a few duds right? Not in the case of Haydn. Sure some are more memorable than others, but I have to say that as I have collected all the volumes in this set by Nimbus Records, Volume 3 contains some of my favorite works.

I'm more suited to comment on the technical qualities - and love the fact that every volume is a full digital recording. I also appreciate the fact that Nimbus is able to get all 5 CDs into a double-wide jewel case...really helps save on shelf space!

Tracks:

Allegro Con Brio
Menuetto (Allegretto) - Canone In Diapason
Adagio
Presto
Allegro Assai
Adagio
Menuetto (Allegretto)
Presto - Adagio
Vivace
Poco Adagio
Menuetto (Allegretto)
Presto E Scherzando

Tracks:

Allegro (No Tempo Indication In Autograph)
Un Paco Adagio, Cantabile
Menuet Al Riversi - Trio Al Roverso
Presto Assai
Allegro
Adagio
Menuetto (Allegretto)
Allegro
Adagio
Allegro Di Molto
Menuetto
Presto

Customer Reviews:

Run,Run,Run for Fun,Fun,Fun!.......2005-10-13

This exact set is available in another format for nearly three times as much, and I believe they are the same transfers. So this is the one to purchase. Many of the performances are worth the Set price by themselves. Number 48 is a great symphony for cheering up a blowsy day or attitude, and the others contain tremendous passions - literally in one case - normally not expected when listeners think of Haydn. The sound of the original LPs has been transferred reasonably well, with a degree of fidelity far more acceptable than many modern original instrument performances.
For this price you will have several of the most glorious symphonies of the entire repetoire, and again, 48 is the crowning glory, if I may be allowed a small pun.

Average customer rating:

The Haydn Symphonic Workshop

Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 44, 45 & 49

Manufacturer: Erato
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Haydn: The London Symphonies, Vol. 1
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 88 - 92
Haydn: The London Symphonies, Vol. 2
Haydn: Paris Symphonies
Schumann: The 4 Symphonies

ASIN: B000071WE7
Release Date: 2003-05-20

Tracks:

Allegro Con Brio
Menuette (Cannon) Trio
Adagio
Finale: Presto
Allegro Assi
Adagio
Menuete Allegretto-Trio
Finale: Presto
Adagio
Allegro Di Molto
Menuete-Trio
Finale: Presto

Customer Reviews:

The Haydn Symphonic Workshop.......2006-03-03

It would be hard to overemphasize the historical importance of the group of symphonies Haydn wrote in the early 1770's. Often associated with the stylistic label STURM UND DRANG (storm and stress), these pieces represent a leap out of the morass of rococo, often foreshadowing Beethoven and other later music. They frequently exploit minor keys (as do the three symphonies presented here) and highly expressive melodic content, feature contrapuntal along with homophonic writing, use a richer harmonic palette and broader architectural arches than in earlier Haydn, and frequently experiment with the symphonic formal layout. While I find period instruments indispensable for baroque music, I can take them or leave them when it comes to Haydn and Mozart. As it turns out, Ton Koopman and the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, using what would seem to be about twelve players, are just perfect for this middle-period Haydn. They turn out clean, transparent textures and anxious, urgent tempos in the outer movements, while appreciating the heart-stopping emotional expression in the adagios. I especially admire the delicately nuanced playing from the violins throughout. Other complete recordings of the STRUM UND DRANG symphonies on period instruments exist, but at budget price this CD is a contender.

Average customer rating:

Quite a bargain

Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 44-49

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000002SFN
Release Date: 1997-10-14

Tracks:

Symphony No.44 In E Minor 'Trauer-Symphonie': I: Allegro con brio
Symphony No.44 In E Minor 'Trauer-Symphonie': II: Menuetto (Allegretto)
Symphony No.44 In E Minor 'Trauer-Symphonie': III: Adagio
Symphony No.44 In E Minor 'Trauer-Symphonie': IV: Finale (Presto)
Symphony No.45 In F-Sharp Minor 'Farewell': I: Allegro assai
Symphony No.45 In F-Sharp Minor 'Farewell': II: Adagio
Symphony No.45 In F-Sharp Minor 'Farewell': III: Menuetto (Allegretto)
Symphony No.45 In F-Sharp Minor 'Farewell': IV: Finale (Presto - Adagio)
Symphony No.46 In B: I: Vivace
Symphony No.46 In B: II: Poco adagio
Symphony No.46 In B: III: Menuet (Allegretto)
Symphony No.46 In B: IV: Finale (Presto e scherzando)

Tracks:

Symphony No.47 In G: I: Allegro
Symphony No.47 In G: II: Unpoco adagio, cantabile
Symphony No.47 In G: III: Menuet al roverso
Symphony No.47 In G: IV: Presto assai
Symphony No.48 In C 'Maria Theresia': I: Allegro
Symphony No.48 In C 'Maria Theresia': II: Adagio
Symphony No.48 In C 'Maria Theresia': III: Menuetto (Allegretto)
Symphony No.48 In C '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: Menuetto
Symphony No.49 In F Minor 'La Passione': IV: Finale (Presto)

Customer Reviews:

Quite a bargain.......2000-03-06

On the overall, this is a delicious set of interpretations of these symphonies. The one defining word would be "energy." In particular, the finale of No. 48 is taken at the fastest pace I've ever heard (close to a presto or maybe prestissimo), but every note is still clear and audible. There are no notes that are just played; every note is placed strongly. Accents are audible. Surprisingly, however, there is a beautiful amount of passion in the slow movements; the adagio of no. 44 practically aches. At times, as with the finale of no. 44, the orchestra's small size makes it sound slightly tinny and confined; at other times, as with the first mvt. of no. 46, there's a choppy staccato where there should be easy mellowness. When all is said and done, however, each symphony performance is generally spectacular, and getting six performances for the price of three is well worth the money.