Haydn: Paris Symphony No. 82; Paris Symphony No. 83; Paris Symphony No. 84; Paris Symphony No. 85; Paris Symphony No. 86; Paris Symphony No. 87

COMPOSERS: Haydn
LABELS: Philips Duo
WORKS: Paris Symphony No. 82; Paris Symphony No. 83; Paris Symphony No. 84; Paris Symphony No. 85; Paris Symphony No. 86; Paris Symphony No. 87
PERFORMER: Academy of St Martin in the Fields/Neville Marriner
CATALOGUE NO: 438 727-2 ADD (1976/78/82)

These modern-instrument versions of the Paris Symphonies are closer in scale to the period performances we get today than to the Romanticised, big-band approach of Karajan, Böhm and Bernstein. The orchestral playing is superb: opening and closing movements are buoyant and incisive, allegrettos are light on their feet and the minuets really dance. The user-friendly tempi will appeal to those who find authentic performances too hard-driven. The recordings sound newly minted and at the very modest asking price this is a self-recommending issue. David Michaels