Description:

Eight years after the release of the first volume in 2014, Giovanni Antonini's remarkable project to record all 107 symphonies of the "father of symphony" by 2032, the 300th anniversary of Haydn's birth, is now in full swing. Haydn's symphonies, written during his nearly 30 years of active service with the Marquise of Esterházy, were written by trial and error in the Marquise's estates far from Vienna, without regard to public opinion. This time, we have selected three symphonies from the first half of the middle period, which are especially rich in flavor. This time, however, we have selected three pieces from the first half of the middle period that are particularly enjoyable: the long "Horn Signal" (No. 31), in which there is no shortage of solos by each part; "Fire" (No. 59), in which the independent wind parts are a pair of oboes and horns, and the original version of No. 48 "Maria Theresa", in which the scale of the music is still very impressive even without percussion. Maria Theresa," all of which are performed by Antonini's own orchestra, Il Giardino armonico, and all of which showcase rich interpretations with a sense of unity while making the most of the individuality of all the players. (C)RS