Musical pilgrimage ≈ Haydn ≈ Complete Symphonies {Selections}

Painting: Early Autumn. Thomas Cole.
{Based on Grove Music Dictionary}
History: Although Haydn’s sobriquet “father of the symphony” is not literally true, in a deeper sense it is apt: there is no other genre in Western music for which the output of a single composer is at once so vast in extent (106 works), so historically important and of such high artistic quality. Haydn’s years as Esterházy vice-Kapellmeister (1761-5) were his most productive as a symphony composer, with about 25 works. Their stylistic élan and virtuoso brilliance are attributable to the splendor of the court and the professional players now at Haydn’s disposal. However, the composer would continue to write symphonies during his entire lifetime, with several distinct periods: for example, symphonic works around 1770 are widely described as exemplifying the Sturm und Drang style; Haydn’s stays in Paris and London lead to some of his most grand works.
Music: I have previously completed a traversal of Mozart's {bit.ly/2ZfjNyT} and Boccherini’s Symphonies {bit.ly/2Mh4ylq}, however, Haydn proved to be an even more rewarding composer in this genre. While Mozart’s symphonic works exhibit his characteristic ease in composing, and Boccherini beguiles the listener with imminently likeable melodies, Haydn is the composer who relates to symphonies in a similar way Bach relates to cantatas. One can trace the gradual development of the Haydn’s style over several decades - from simple three-part sinfonias to grand works that make one think of Beethoven. Yet in any period, the level of care and attention to detail is always in evidence, even if some motives are natural stronger than others. My personal tastes are very much in evidence in this selection, and I’ve chosen to focus on my personal favorite movements from the symphonies, most of them from Haydn’s middle period. Haydn’s faster sections frequently boast infectious themes and bravura writing: the boastful and bold Allegro from No. 31 with triumphant parts for the horns {5:42}, the “witchy” bubbling of the double bass and bassoon in the Trio from No. 6 {22:00}, the rustic “bear” dance from No. 82 {23:42}, or the hunting call in No. 73, originally composed as the overture to La fedeltà premiata {32:00}. But the greatest treasures are to be found in the slow movements: the elegiac, vaguely melancholic Adagio from No. 26, adapted from an old plainsong chant of the Passion of Christ {1:07}, the warm Adagio from No. 54 {4:30 & 18:41}, or the exposed violin writing in No. 6 {9:43}. However, I would rank the meltingly beautiful Adagio cantabile for solo cello from No. 13 {27:53}, very much in the style of Boccherini’s cello concertos, as a personal highlight. In all honesty, a traversal of Haydn’s symphonies is as full of discoveries, as a pilgrimage through Schubert’s Lieder { bit.ly/2LHBS5J }.
Scores: All the scores for Haydn’s symphonies can be found on IMSLP: bit.ly/2SJOmub
Recordings: For the present upload I’ve chosen the Brilliant Classics Complete Symphonies recorded by Adam Fischer and the Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra over a period of 14 years. The hand-picked ensemble of musicians from Vienna and Budapest recorded in no less a venue than the Esterházy Palace itself.
Hope you enjoy =)!

[@fleshfah6]

Thank you for posting again. Your articles accompanying each post are a delight and I hope you continue. Also. I prefer the London Symphonies - they are my go-to after borrowing a friends' CD set. Prime book-reading or hiking music, truly.

[@rejeannedube4226]

Thank you very much for this sublime music.🍃🌹🍃

[@fimetic]

Wonderful.

[@LindoroRossini]

What are your favorite Symphonies by Haydn and why? Leave a comment below, I would love to hear your thoughts =).

[@n.t.1265]

44,6,39,26,92,49