Haydn: London Symphonies, Nos. 93-104 (2003)

performed by Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra, Gunther Herbig (conductor)
composed by Franz Joseph Haydn

Recorded in the German Democratic Republic in 1974 and 1975, Günther Herbig and the Dresden Philharmonic's performances of Haydn's "London" Symphonies present no picture of a dour and depressing kapellmeister but rather of a wit, a wonder, a warm-hearted human being, and a very great composer. In humorous symphonies like the "Surprise," Herbig's Haydn is always charmingly witty, sometimes roughly funny, and once even ever-so-slightly rude. In fierce symphonies like the C minor, his Haydn is strong-willed, heavily muscled, ... Read More

Recorded in the German Democratic Republic in 1974 and 1975, Günther Herbig and the Dresden Philharmonic's performances of Haydn's "London" Symphonies present no picture of a dour and depressing kapellmeister but rather of a wit, a wonder, a warm-hearted human being, and a very great composer. In humorous symphonies like the "Surprise," Herbig's Haydn is always charmingly witty, sometimes roughly funny, and once even ever-so-slightly rude. In fierce symphonies like the C minor, his Haydn is strong-willed, heavily muscled, and hard driven. In emotionally intense symphonies like the B flat major, his Haydn goes straight to the heart of the matter in the surprisingly intimate and immensely moving Adagio. But in every symphony, Herbig and the Dresdener Philharmoniker present a completely unified portrait of Haydn, and in the greatest of them, their portrait is limned with glory. Listen to the "London" Symphony itself: the Dresden musicians play it brilliantly with bright colors, a tight ensemble, and... Read Less