EN FRANCAIS
IN ENGLISH
RELEASED : JANUARY 2009
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
- Symphony No. 41 in C major (composed by 1770)
- Symphony No. 49 in F minor, La passione (1768)
- Symphony No. 44 in E minor, Trauer (composed by 1772)
early-music.com
- 2009, EMCCD7769
This is a world premier recording of Symphony 41 with the composer’s originally intended instrumentation.
This exciting new recording from the Arion Baroque Orchestra is just in time for the Haydn bicentennial celebration. But more than merely commemorating his death, this CD is also a celebration of his life, to quote Arion’s Artistic Director Claire Guimond. It radiates the composer’s inimitable and very communicative energy in a choice of his most passionate symphonies written between 1768 and 1772, from his so-called “Sturm und Drang” period. While the “Passione” and “Trauer” symphonies both refer to death in an often very emotionally charged manner, Symphony No. 41 in C major — heard here for the first time on disc in its original instrumentation — is an epitome of high spirits and charm.
“From the very first rehearsal,” says British conductor Gary Cooper, well-known as one of the foremost ambassadors of the harpsichord and fortepiano, “I knew this recording would be a special one. In attempting to re-create something much closer to the sound world Haydn would have known at Esterháza, by using the modest forces he would have had at his disposal, I feel Arion have more than risen to the challenge! With such spirit, musicianship, flair and energy, they have brought these wonderful, dramatic symphonies back to life for me — but in such a new and refreshing way. You can hear they love every note of this music!”
© ARION