Review by Jonalogic July 15, 2010 (6 of 10 found this review helpful)
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'Historical performance practice' - does the very thought of whiny violins, weird sounding brass and worthy, po-faced performances fill you with terror? Fear ye not, these authentic performances are full of joy, wit and snap. The performances are immaculate, the playing and ensemble wondrous and the minimally-miked DSD sound is clear, transparent and convincing, with surprising dynamic swings handled effortlessly.
The clear sound and transparent playing synergise wonderfully throughout.
If your idea of the London symphonies was Colin Davis's big-band performances with the Concertgebouw (fine as they are, of their time), then these will send a welcome breath of fresh air through your ears. And it's impossible not to smile at times, as Papa Haydn's wit or unexpected modulations catch one by surprise.
This one is thoroughly, recommended, together with its companion volume (93, 95 and 96). Only one question of Ars Produktion- when can we have the others, pretty please?
Hearing these symphonies afresh makes one wonder about dear old Josef. For a great composer, he seems to have been suspiciously normal - no drug habit, syphilis, deafness, madness or part-time axe murder habit. This is deeply worrying; to confirm his status as one of the musical immortals, could some kind musicologist please identify hitherto unrevealed nastiness that we can associate with him?
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