I can confirm that this is indeed a lovely cycle, at least in the sense that I have just listened to the Clock Symphony, and the music making is even finer than I remember it from when I owned the last two boxes in the 1980s. And the record is as near mint as you could hope. Virtually silent surface and a couple of clicks only. I have listened and accepted things as new with more LP noise!
Very happy to now have my very last musical library ambition full-filled in possessing a Haydn Symphony complete survey.
I had to think hard about the last recordings I bought. Probably three years ago about a week apart. Holst's The Planets in Sargent's wonderfully vigorous late 1950s stereo recording for EMI [on CD re-issue, but second hand], and Vivaldi's Four Seasons from I Virtuosi de Roma from 1959 also on second hand CD on EMI. Neither have been eclipsed in terms of the music making.
Two strange lapses and omissions from what used to be a very nice collection of CDs and LPs.
Since then I have reduced the library to just over 500 CDs and about 400 LPs.
Best wishes from George
PS Just started at the beginning with No. One. Haydn was a master from extreme youth on this showing. Not much credit for that in popular classical culture. though Dave Hurwitz is currently offering what he styles "The Haydn Symphony Crusade" on Youtube ... I don't always agree with Mr. Hurwitz on choice of best performance, but where he talks about great music he does point to greatness where it is deserved.
Nobody needs to do a Mozart Symphony Crusade, because in classical popular criticism, Mozart never produced a dud. Even Beethoven and Bach made a few! For myself, I find the kaleidoscope of invention and innovation that Haydn manages a nigh miracle! Haydn's Mercurial ideas never produce a dud. It may not be everybody's favourite style, but it was as endless as the working life of a joyful, and sincere musician, who knew the darkness of emotion but who rarely [extremely rarely] let this shown in gloomy music. To produce joyful music is far bigger piece of artistry than being for ever melancholy. Haydn's joyful energy is life enhancing, and I commend it. There is the occasional darker piece, such as the Variations for Keyboard in F Minor, and the fairly wistful Cello Concerto Number Two in D, or the shadows in the slow movement of his Trumpet Concerto, but there is serious intent in the context of a joker, and something we could all learn from. Don't take yourself or life too seriously.
Old Bach is my other favourite and he is different, but also manages [except in rare cases] to bring joy with him.
Just tuppence' worth from George
