Search - Haydn, Woldike, Vienna State Opera Orchestra :: Symphonies 99-104 "London" Symphonies

Vanguard's Classic Haydn London Symphonies

Avrohom Leichtling | Monsey, NY | 06/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Vanguard released three LPS of the last six of Joseph Haydn's so-called "London Symphonies." These six, along with their six predecessors, are among the great treasures of the late 18th century. The classical symphony in Haydn's hands, reached its apex in these works. They are all, without exception, gems of the highest order.Mogens Woldike, whose recordings of these and other works of Haydn, was a phenominal Haydn conductor. He plays these works with absolute confidence and real elan and style. While he tends to omit the first movement repeats, the performances are otherwise solid and well worth knowing.I grew up with these recordings. Except for Leonard Bernstein, who was probably the only other conductor of our times who really understood the very essence of Haydn's work, Woldike's recordings are an absolute must. In an age when we perhaps take "authenticity of performing environment" a little too far (after all, given the highly experimental nature of much of Haydn's music, I find it impossible to believe that he would shun today's much larger orchestras-steel stringed strings and all), it is a pleasure to hear a large orchestral ensemble play these works with all the necessary weight that's built into them. But Haydn is capable of featherweight lightness, too, and Woldike doesn't miss a trick.Thanks are due to Vanguard for bringing back this most impressive early stereo collection of performances."

Woldike's Wonderful Haydn

Jeffrey Lipscomb | Sacramento, CA United States | 05/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Danish conductor Mogens Woldike (1897-1988) was one of the finest Haydn interpreters: straightforward, direct, yet sensitive. The early stereo sound (1956) here is excellent. While there are recordings by other conductors that I admire equally - Scherchen (on his DG set of the complete London symphonies and several earlier works), the Leslie Jones/Little Orchestra of London (a 6-disc LP set on Nonesuch), the Fritz Busch #101 (Dante), the Matacic #103 (Orfeo), and the Rosbaud #104 (DG) - this Woldike integral set of the last six symphonies is a treasure to cherish. Unfortunately, while many dull-witted readings by lesser conductors live on in the current catalogue, these fine Woldike accounts are no longer available. If you should come across a copy of this set, don't hesitate.



Highly recommended."