COMPOSERS: Haydn
LABELS: Sony Essential Classics
WORKS: Trumpet, Oboe & Flute Concertos; Sinfonia concertante in B flat
PERFORMER: Soloists; Philadelphia Orchestra/Eugene Ormandy, Franz Liszt CO/János Rolla
CATALOGUE NO: SBK 62649 ADD/DDD (1958/67)
I’d hardly describe the oboe and flute concertos long attributed to Haydn as ‘Essential Classics’. Sony’s booklet comes clean and admits that both works were in fact written by other hands; and they receive harsh, driven performances in distinctly unlovely sound. The Sinfonia concertante and Trumpet Concerto are a great deal more worthwhile, and Ormandy’s accounts are solid and reliable, though they really don’t stand comparison with the best recent recordings. These days Haydn is allowed to sound so much more fun. Stephen Maddock
Haydn: Trumpet, Oboe & Flute Concertos; Sinfonia concertante in B flat
I’d hardly describe the oboe and flute concertos long attributed to Haydn as ‘Essential Classics’. Sony’s booklet comes clean and admits that both works were in fact written by other hands; and they receive harsh, driven performances in distinctly unlovely sound. The Sinfonia concertante and Trumpet Concerto are a great deal more worthwhile, and Ormandy’s accounts are solid and reliable, though they really don’t stand comparison with the best recent recordings. These days Haydn is allowed to sound so much more fun. Stephen Maddock
Our rating
3
Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:33 pm