Early Haydn Symphonies Performed w/ Gusto!
Giradman | 11/19/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Well, I'm not sure that a recording should be 'downgraded' because the price seems too high? But, I own a half dozen of Roy Goodman's Haydn Symphony performances on the budget Helios label (BTW, Berkshire Record Outlet is offering about a dozen of these discs for $5 each!).
Haydn's first numbered symphonies were composed when he was in his late 20s, and before he was hired by the Esterhazy prince; these early works take on a variety of forms, mostly based on the Italian overture format and also the older 'sonata da chiesa'.
The recordings were made in 1991 w/ digital sound (DDD; and up to the usual Hyperion standards); Goodman conducts from the harpsichord and period instruments are used. These are short and delightful compositions (w/ of course many more to come!); well performed and w/ excellent dynamics - highly recommended."