Syms 31/45

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Composer : Franz Joseph Haydn
Conductor : Sir Charles Mackerras
Orchestra : Orchestra of St. Luke's

Product Details

Binding : Audio CD
EAN : 0089408015625
Label : Telarc
Number of Discs : 1
Product Group : Music
Release Date : 2003-09-09
Running Time : 68minutes
UPC : 089408015625

ASIN : B000003CUK

Track Listings for

Disc-1
1. l. Allegro
2. II. Adagio
3. III. Menuet: Trio
4. IV. Finale: Moderato Molto - 1. Theme - 2. Variation 1 - 3. Variation 2 - 4. Variation 3 - 5. Variation 4 - 6. Variation 5 - 7. Variation 6 - 8. Variation 7 - 9. Presto
5. I. Allegro Assai
6. II. Adagio
7. III. Menuet: Allegretto: Trio
8. IV. Finale: Presto; Adagio

Customer Reviews

Well-Played But Up-Tight Performances (2004-07-12)

Although these performances have gotten positive reviews from several music critics, they strike me as altogether too tense and martial for early Haydn. Mackerras has a penchant for rather aggressive tempos that, for me, rob this music of its essential charm and grace. The conductor's insistence on taking every single repeat in the "Hornsignal" may be musicologically correct, but to my ears it simply causes the work to outstay its welcome. Things go better in the "Farewell," but here too I hear an excess of uptempo emphasis that subtracts from the appeal of the music.

A far warmer and gracious "Hornsignal" can be heard on a deleted Accord CD, which features a lovely 1965 recording by Karl Ristenpart and the Saar Chamber Orchestra (coupled with utterly delightful accounts of 48 & 85). Ristenpart goes to the other extreme: hardly any repeats at all (easily remedied by simply playing the symphony over again!). Another fine #31 was the Leslie Jones/Little Orch. of London recording on Nonesuch LP, which has yet to see a CD transfer.

The finest "Farewell" in my experience is the wonderful 1958 Scherchen/Vienna stereo recording now available in a 6-disc DG Westminster set. In the last mvt., where the players leave the stage one by one, the musicians whisper "auf wedersehn" as they depart. It's an utterly charming conclusion to a fine and sensitive performance. This DG set, which includes powerfully expressive readings of 44 (Trauer), 49 (La Passione), a regal 88, and all of the London symphonies, will probably have a short shelf life. So if you are curious, don't hesitate too long or you may miss the opportunity to hear some truly glorious music making.

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