Composer: Franz Joseph Haydn
Orchestra: Danish Chamber Orchestra
Conductor: Ádám Fischer
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Naxos
Catalogue: 8574516
Release: 2023
Size: 218 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Symphony No. 93 in D major
01. I. Adagio – Allegro assai
02. II. Largo cantabile
03. III. Menuetto
04. IV. Finale. Presto ma non troppo
Symphony No. 94 in G Major ‘Surprise’
05. I. Adagio – Vivace assai
06. II. Andante
07. III. Menuetto
08. V. Finale. Allegro molto
Symphony No. 95 in C minor
09. I. Allegro
10. II. Andante
11. III. Menuetto
12. IV. Finale. Vivace
Fresh from their critically acclaimed series of the complete symphonies of Beethoven (8.505251) and Brahms (8.574465-67), the Danish Chamber Orchestra and Adam Fischer turn to Haydn’s late symphonies, beginning with the first three of the twelve ‘London’ symphonies, composed during Haydn’s first visit to the capital. Arguably his greatest achievements in the genre, they include the enduringly popular ‘surprise’ in the slow movement of No. 94. Fischer and his orchestra, who have performed together for over two decades, employ varied bowing and playing styles in the strings and innovative dynamic techniques in the winds that bring new levels of excitement to these masterpieces.
Veteran conductor Ádám Fischer recorded a complete cycle of Haydn’s symphonies with his Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra, mostly in the 1990s. Now, he returns with a new set of the last 25, of which the present release is the first volume. If this album is any indication, he has new things to say. The release shows the conjunction of three impulses and tendencies. First is that Fischer, a master orchestra handler, has led the Danish Chamber Orchestra for many years and has molded it into an instrument extremely responsive to his ideas. Second, Fischer argues that the atmosphere of Haydn’s celebrated London concerts was akin to what one might expect today of a rock concert, and he sets out to deliver performances with high impact. His tempos are quick indeed (sample the blistering “Surprise” movement of the Symphony No. 94 in G major, and consider whether it works at this speed), and he varies the tempo in ways that are not usually thought idiomatic to Classical style. One can debate these moves, but these are undoubtedly not dull performances. The third distinctive factor here is that although the Danish Chamber Orchestra is not a historical-instrument ensemble, Fischer borrows certain moves from that tradition, including generally minimal vibrato, sharp attacks, and distinctive bowstrokes. These features support his general interpretation. With fine sound from the Royal Danish Academy of Music, this release announces a new Haydn set that demands attention; it made classical best-seller charts in the summer of 2023.