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Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809)
Symphony No. 22 in E flat major, The Philosopher (1764)[18:31]
Symphony No. 49 in F minor, La Passione (1768)[25:41]
Divertimento in A major, Hob.X.10 (c.1763)[13:24]
Divertimento in B flat major, Hob.III.1 (c.1758)[14:07]
Sinfonia
Classica/Gernot Süssmuth
rec. 2007, Parish Church, Tavistock, Devon LANDOR
RECORDS LAN282 [72:56]
The
chamber orchestra Sinfonia Classica, based in the west
of England, acquits itself admirably in these Haydn performances.
Everything is nicely balanced and appropriately judged
in terms of the repertoire of Haydn’s earlier career, and
the ensemble sound is most pleasing. So too is the chosen
programme, offering two symphonies and two divertimentos,
the latter much less well known but just as central to
the composer’s life.
The
ensemble plays on modern instruments but has a secure understanding
of 18th century style, with tempi that always
sound right. Take the opening movement of La Passione,
for instance. At nearly eleven minutes of tempo Adagio this ‘church
sonata’ style will challenge performers, but the results
are pleasing on the ear and full of subtleties in the phrasing
and scoring that ensure the interest is maintained. The
succeeding Allegro assai movement, like the final Presto,
has abundant vitality, and the latter an intensity that
ranks it among the highlights of Haydn’s stürm und drang style.
Similar
things might be observed in the other symphony included
here: The Philosopher (No. 22). The shape of the
piece overall is similar, with an extended opening Adagio and
two fast movements surrounding a minuet. But the sound
is quite different, unique even, because of the presence
of two cor anglais. These instruments make their impression
on the sheer sound of a performance, but their employment
proved a false trail and not until Berlioz did a symphony
feature a cor anglais again. They sound well here, and
so too do the other wind instruments, the pair of horns,
which are quite brilliantly played.
As
a whole the performance may be pleasing but it does not
eclipse the rival ‘original instrument’ recording by the
Hanover Band (Hyperion Helios CDHS5116), which also includes
keyboard continuo, which is omitted by Sinfonia Classica
in all these performances. This music gains by the inclusion
of continuo, particularly in terms of rhythmic sharpness
and focus, so its omission is to be regretted, whatever
the other merits of the interpretations.
The
two divertimenti are pleasing on the ear if – deliberately
- less imaginative in content. The music was intended to
be played in the background while the aristocrats were
at play or at dinner, and hearing it in its own right goes
to show what artistry Haydn and his contemporaries brought
to bear on all they created.
The
ensemble plays on modern instruments but has a secure understanding
of 18th century style, with tempi that always
sound right.
Terry Barfoot
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