Search - Haydn, Haenchen, Cpe Bach Chamber Orchestra :: Haydn: Symphonies No. 60, 94, 103

Good but undistinguished Haydn

Larry VanDeSande | Mason, Michigan United States | 08/01/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Hartmut Haenchen recorded a lot of Haydn symphonies during the early 1990s for Berlin Classics with the CPE Bach Chamber Orchestra including this recording of three of Papa Haydn's "name" symphonies -- Il Distratto (No. 60, the Distracted One), Surpise (No. 94) and Drum Roll, or Symphony No. 103. There are many good and great versions of the latter two symphonies but not so many good ones of No. 60, the reason I bought this disk.



Unlike the period crowd or old time Haydn conductors like Walter or Beecham with lots of personality, Haenchen is a traditional, moderate, straightforward conductor that places emphasis on Haydn's woodwind writing and humor, of which there is plenty in the "Il Distratto" symphony incluidng a stop in the final movement followed by the entire orchestra tuning. I am satisfied this is a version of this symphony I'll be able to turn to over and over, at least until a new version comes out that blows me away.



The other two symphonies are not played or interpreted at such a fine level of execution. There is very nice playing throughout but Haenchen snows none of George Szell's warmth and wonderful understanding in the "Surprise" symphony. In fact, I think Haenchen -- who is typically a fine Haydn conductor -- may not have an affinity for this music. He seems impatient much of the time.



He does better in the "drum roll" and the timpani stand out in this version although his phrasing tends to be clipped from time to time, robbing phrases of their full value. The last version of this symphony I owned that I really enjoyed was the one conducted by Moegens Woeldike with the Vienna State Opera Orchestra (AKA Vienna Philharmonic) that was available for many years on the Vanguard label at part of a two-disk set. Haenchen's fine version -- exceptionally well-played by the band and in more modern sonics -- can hold a candle to Woeldike but does not erase memories of that outstanding set.



The recordings were made in Berlin's Jesus-Chistus-Kirche (Jesus Christ Church) in 1991 and have fine sonics for the period. The intimate nature of both the orchestra and church, as well as Berlin Classics exemplary production values, result in a refined recording of these enduring classics. If you have never heard Haydn's Symphony 60, this is an excellent place to try it out. It's twice as good as Rattle's version and as funny as Dorati's old one from his first inclusive set of all 104 Haydn symphonies."