Search - Franz Joseph Haydn, Simon Rattle, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra :: Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 86, 102, & 22 'The Philosopher'

Sparkling Haydn revisited

Larry VanDeSande | Mason, Michigan United States | 12/17/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"EMI reissued Simon Rattle's sparkling Haydn CD a few years back. The 1994 recordings hold up well in terms of both artistry and sound compared to the competition from intervening years. Here is another reminder why young Simon Rattle was the first Englishman selected to lead the Berlin Philharmonic once Claudio Abbado called it quits.



Rattle's Haydn is period-influenced and rapid in pace, making it exhilirating in tutti and not quite the genteel hand Bruno Walter brought to the music. The three selections here -- Symphony 22 "The Philosopher" from the composer's early period; the magnificent Symphony 86 from the "Paris" symphonies; and the late, great Symphony 102 from the "London" period -- show three faces of the composer that essentially invented and went on to perfect the symphony format.



Of these selections, the signature performance is No. 86, my favorite among all 104 Haydn symphonies. A pair of dynamic outer movements shield a lovely capriccio and minuet with trio in what is, I believe, the greatest of all Haydn's later symphonies. The final movement, in particular, is cherishable. With its dominant exposition that culminates in a rising woodwind choir first matched by strings, echoed by lower strings in the right speaker, then bursting into full tutti...well, I defy you not to hum along, toe tap or even jump out of your seat in Rattle's performance during either the opening, the repeat or the closing statement in the final movement.



Kudos to the City of Birmingham Symphony and its wind section, which is the most important part of the orchestra is all three symphonies. The mistake some Haydn interpreters make is confusing Haydn with the later Beethoven, and insisting on voicing the temperate Haydn as if he were the first coming of the intemperate Beethoven. Rattle pushes the envelope on this with fastish speeds and huge projection but remains true to the composer.



His direction of the winds in these three symphonies, mated with a truthful recordings on a deep soundstage, is stylish and professional as they sing Haydn's tunes best. All in all, a superb accomplishment in exceptional sound marginally improved from the already wonderful original 1994 issue. This is a keepsake for any lover of Haydn that is likely to endure as long as people listen to these symphonies."