HAYDN: Horn, Cello and Trumpet Concertos, German Dances, Overtures - Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Marriner (2 CDs)

A generous collection of Haydn Concertos, Overtures and Dances, this 2CD set offers the Philips recordings of the Cello Concertos and the Argo recordings of the remaining works. Although released in various reissues, the Marriner/Argo Haydn Concertos have never before been offered together and this collection offers a great opportunity to explore these recordings from 1966–69. Familiar works such as the E flat major Trumpet Concerto and the two Cello Concertos appear together with the little-known Organ Co’ncerto. Also on offer, are two sets of German Dances/Allemandes (both making their first appearance on CD) and a pair of Overtures, of which that for Acide e Galatea’ is a first-on-CD release.

‘a delightfully crisp and vivacious performance here, at lively tempi and with neat, sharply defined phrasing’ (Organ Concerto) Gramophone

‘Tuckwell plays the Horn Concerto No. 1 superbly … striking tone and finesse [from Alan Stringer in the Trumpet Concerto] … the playing in the Dances and the Acide e Galatea Overture is a wonderful example of sheer style, yet readily conveys the players’ enjoyment of this innocent but rewarding music’ *** Penguin Guide

‘”Written while asleep”, wrote Haydn on the score of the first of these concertos. Well, perhaps. And of course one has probably heard performances during which some of the players were undoubtedly asleep. But none of them, surely, could have dropped off on this occasion: both concertos are far too alive to conceive the possibility. Barry Tuckwell plays and phrases splendidly, not in the least intimidated by the range in both directions demanded of him by Haydn. And the orchestra are with him: stylish and alert.’ (Horn Concertos) Gramophone

‘The harpsichord concerto is neatly played, tempi distinctly on the lively side, but with spruce rhythms from Neville Marriner’s orchestra and a crisp and brilliant account of the harpsichord part from George Malcolm.’ (Harpsichord Concerto) Gramophone

‘… performances of such stimulating detail and so rich in individual character…’ (Cello Concertos) Gramophone

FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN
CD1
Cello Concerto in C major, Hob.VIIb:1
Cello Concerto in D major, Hob.VIIb:2
Heinrich Schiff, cello

Trumpet Concerto in E flat major, Hob.VIIe:1
Alan Stringer, trumpet

Harpsichord Concerto in D, Hob.XVIII:11
George Malcolm, harpsichord

CD2
Overture in D major, Hob.Ia:7
Overture: Acide e Galatea, Hob.Ia:5
Six German Dances, Hob.IX:9
Six Allemandes, from Hob.IX
Organ Concerto in C major, Hob.XVIII:1
Simon Preston, organ

Horn Concerto No. 1 in D major, Hob.VIId:3
Horn Concerto No. 2 in D major, Hob.VIId:4
Barry Tuckwell, horn

Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Neville Marriner