The full set of Haydn’s complete symphonies on period instruments would have provided a wonderful alternative to those conducted by Antal Doráti on modern instruments, however, this cycle was unfortunately left incomplete. When Christopher Hogwood began working on Haydn’s complete works for L’Oiseau-Lyre in 1990, it was a sheer delight to discover each new volume – the incisive and caustic tempos, rhythmic alacrity, clarity of sound, extent of tonal colour and alternation of humour and melancholy were simply marvellous. Ultimately, only eighty-one Symphonies were recorded and released, first as individual volumes and then as a box set of 32 CDs in 1997. It was long believed that Christopher Haywood would one day record the remaining twenty-three symphonies, but sadly, he passed away in 2014. © François Hudry/Qobuz