Frans Brüggen conducts Haydn
This is a Philips2-disc album in which Frans Brüggen leads the Orchestra of the 18th Century in Haydn’s symphonies numbers 95, 96, 98, 100, 101, and 104. And these performances were recorded at a live concert.
I enjoy Brüggen’s performances a lot. He gives us Haydn with terrific attention to detail, as he shows us what the orchestra instruments sounded like in Haydn’s day. These symphonies receive performances of astounding energy, and Brüggen’s natural trumpets and period winds all help to bring the astonishing resourcefulness of Haydn’s music completely to life.
Frans Brüggen was a recorder performer prior to becoming a conductor. And this likely served him well, because I sense a strong feeling of balance and the ability to hear details of the music that are often lost when orchestral sections that are less important play too loud.
These symphonies are all masterpieces. And we get here the kind of loving interpretation and recreation that this music deserves!