Name: Haydn: Early London Symphonies by George Szell, The Cleveland Orchestra
Brand: George Szell
SKU: 884977045352
Price: 9.9 USD
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 4.5 (168 reviews)

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Volume 1

Volume 2

In the 1960s, performances of Classical-era symphonies with George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra were surprisingly close to the ideals of authentic period performance practice, as these recordings of the first six of Haydn's London Symphonies demonstrate. The tone is lean and light, but with plenty of power and weight when necessary, and the tempos are propulsive in quick movements, poised in slow movements, and irresistible in dance movements. Naturally, the modern instruments' colors are different from period instrument colors; the woodwinds brighter, the brass more brilliant, and the strings more rounded, but the effect is remarkably similar to that of later period instruments orchestras.
Szell's intellectual and emotional lucidity, and the Cleveland Orchestra's virtuoso playing and enthusiastic performances create practically perfect Haydn, a combination of wit, tenderness, strength, and genius in one beautifully balanced package. These performances, from the hilarious "Surprise" Symphony to the forceful C minor Symphony, to the rambunctious B flat major Symphony, are bound to delight. Columbia's stereo sound was superlative for its time -- clean, clear, and vivid -- and Sony's digital remastering retains these qualities.

Haydn: Early London Symphonies

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Volume 1

Volume 2

Volume 1

1. Symphony No. 93 in D Major, Hob. I:93: I. Adagio - Allegro assai

2. Symphony No. 93 in D Major, Hob. I:93: II. Largo cantabile

3. Symphony No. 93 in D Major, Hob. I:93: III. Menuet

4. Symphony No. 93 in D Major, Hob. I:93: IV. Finale. Presto ma non troppo

5. Symphony No. 94 in G Major, Hob. I:94 "Surprise": I. Adagio - Vivace assai

6. Symphony No. 94 in G Major, Hob. I:94 "Surprise": II. Andante

7. Symphony No. 94 in G Major, Hob. I:94 "Surprise": III. Menuetto. Allegretto - Trio

8. Symphony No. 94 in G Major, Hob. I:94 "Surprise": IV. Finale. Presto ma non troppo

9. Symphony No. 95 in C Minor, Hob. I:95: I. Allegro moderato

10. Symphony No. 95 in C Minor, Hob. I:95: II. Andante

11. Symphony No. 95 in C Minor, Hob. I:95: III. Menuet - Trio

12. Symphony No. 95 in C Minor, Hob. I:95: IV. Finale. Vivace

Volume 2

1. Symphony No. 96 in D Major, Hob. I:96 "Miracle": I. Adagio - Allegro

2. Symphony No. 96 in D Major, Hob. I:96 "Miracle": II. Andante

3. Symphony No. 96 in D Major, Hob. I:96 "Miracle": III. Menuetto. Allegretto - Trio

4. Symphony No. 96 in D Major, Hob. I:96 "Miracle": IV. Finale. Vivace assai

5. Symphony No. 97 in C Major, Hob. I:97: I. Adagio - Vivace

6. Symphony No. 97 in C Major, Hob. I:97: II. Adagio ma non troppo

7. Symphony No. 97 in C Major, Hob. I:97: III. Menuet. Allegretto - Trio

8. Symphony No. 97 in C Major, Hob. I:97: IV. Finale. Presto assai

9. Symphony No. 98 in B-Flat Major, Hob. I:98: I. Adagio - Allegro

10. Symphony No. 98 in B-Flat Major, Hob. I:98: II. Adagio

11. Symphony No. 98 in B-Flat Major, Hob. I:98: III. Menuet

12. Symphony No. 98 in B-Flat Major, Hob. I:98: IV. Finale. Presto

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