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ALPHA694
Originally recorded in 2023
Classical
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About
The fourteenth volume of the Haydn2032 edition is entitled L'Imperiale, after the nickname given to Symphony no.53 in the nineteenth century. This was perhaps Haydn's most famous symphony during his lifetime. Premiered in the theatre at Eszterháza Palace in 1778, it was published in London around 1781, and its melodious Andante was arranged more than thirty times for various instruments between 1783 and 1820. It made a decisive contribution to Haydn’s success, opening the way for him to perform in England. Symphony no.54, whose entertaining, theatrical style is a perfectly match for the atmosphere of the legendary court festivities given at Eszterháza around 1775, completes this programme along with no.33, one of his first festive works with trumpets, composed c.1761. In his introductory text, Giovanni Antonini revels in the ‘capricious’, whimsical character of certain passages in the last movement of Symphony No. 53; he also offers an alternative finale of the work at the end of the album.
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Reviews
Sound 8.5 Booklet 9.5 Repertoire 8-9 Interpretation 10
“… Antonini maintains the high performance standards and innate understanding of this music that have been such a feature of the cycle so far…”
Performance **** Recording *****
“… Haydn’s symphonies never fail to deliver the goods, and this album is as enjoyable as it it valuable.”
***** Coup de cœur
“… The program ends with a breathless performance of the second version of Symphony No. 53’s Finale, which also served as an overture to a puppet opera at the Esterhazy residence. Haydn’s impish humor is on full display in music meant to lighten the heart. While Antonini’s readings sometimes downplay the lighter, mischievous aspects of the music, the energy and vivid characterization he and his players bring to these inventive scores is a constant delight.”
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