Symphonies No.92,93,97-99

London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis

The late Sir Colin Davis and the London Symphony Orchestra present a collection of Haydn’s London Symphonies alongside the spirited Oxford Symphony. Sir Colin Davis was long recognised as a pre-eminent Haydn interpreter. During his Indian summer with the orchestra he recorded both 'The Creation' and 'The Seasons' for LSO Live. The symphonies presented here were recorded in 2011 and make for revelatory listening.

Entering a new chapter after the death of Prince Nikolaus Esterházy, Haydn’s forward-looking late symphonies were conceived on a large scale and exude all the hallmarks of the composer’s protean maturity. Surpassing even his own high standards and received to an enormous success, their expressive strength and inventive mastery of form gave his international reputation a substantial boost: Haydn’s contrapuntal mastery and thematic rigour are laid bare for all to see.

Haydn:
 Symphony No. 92 in G major 'Oxford'
 Symphony No. 93 in D major
 Symphony No. 97 in C major
 Symphony No. 98 in B flat major
 Symphony No. 99 in E flat major

"Sir Colin's affinity with and love for this music is palpable as he (very audibly) hums and sings along, and the hard-bitten LSO have clearly caught the bug too, playing with style and sensitivity for their erstwhile chief."
Gramophone Magazine - Awards Issue 2014

"The performance is notably warmer and more personal [than his earlier accounts], it glows with affection for this life-enhancing music...[the Adagio of No. 99] unfolds with a sublime serenity that is quite special...Those who love Haydn should hear this set."
BBC Music Magazine - October 2014 ****