Search - Haydn, Brs, Mariss Jansons :: Symphonies Nos. 100 & 104

Really superb big-band Haydn, played with infectious high sp

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 04/17/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Haydn is getting a spurt of interest from major conductors, what with Simon Rattle's collection from Berlin, Jansons' from Munich, and Abbado waiting in the wings. Of the two already released, Jansons feels more vital, energized, and good-humored than Rattle. In fact, he seems to have a special knack. Modern Haydn style has been swallowed whole by the period movement, and I expected that Jansons wouldn't be able to resist the temptation to seem au courant. Somehow he did. The quick tempo in the slow movements means that neither Sym. 104 nor 100 truly has a slow movement, but Jansons isn't at all tick-tock. He phrases with alertness, brio, and even wit.



There's inner life to every movement, which unites this CD with the best Haydn recordings from the past. Jansons isn't as ebullient as Beecham (not that the old British master was immune to heavy, draggy performances at times), and the unbuttoned energy of Bernstein isn't quite there. But Jansons' Haydn is stylish and poised, beautifully executed by his Bavarian Radio orchestra, and vividly recorded in concert (the audience is silent but applause is included). For me, Haydn without panache isn't right, which is why I resist Szell's dry, mechanical precision. But at the other extreme, Haydn shouldn't sound like a precursor to Beethoven, either, even in the grand gestures of the "London" Symphony. Jansons avoids both traps.



The highlight here, however, isn't the two symphonies but a brilliantly executed, high-spirited Sinfonia Concertante for a solo quartet (oboe, bassoon, violin, cello) and orchestra, one of the absolute masterpieces in the concertante form and a joy from beginning to end. The piece calls for playing that has real personality, and all four soloists come through with flying colors. I've never heard a better reading (Rattle also included the piece, but his account is relatively starchy and anemic compared to this one).



In all, a total winner that deserves a listen from anyone even remotely attracted to Haydn's humor and verve."