Reviewed by John Irvine

Times have certainly changed: in Haydn's day audiences had a voracious appetite for new works and musical societies competed with one another to obtain commissions from the up and coming composers of the day, or better still, to obtain the composers' presence for the 18th century equivalent of a concert tour. Symphonies and other works were written to amuse and entertain audiences, as well as to show off the talents of either the composer or a virtuoso performer. Perhaps these days we take classical music a little too seriously, forgetting that 'high art' and entertainment can sit comfortably together. Haydn's symphonies are enjoyable simply as melodic, entertaining divertimenti as well as being worthy of deep penetrating study. The symphonies recorded here are the latter three of the six Paris" symphonies which were composed for a Parisian musical society's 1787 concert season. Symphony 85 proved so popular with Marie-Antoinette that it acquired the nickname "La Reine" or The Queen. She lost her head a few years later, but the music survives! In these symphonies Haydn shows an extraordinary grasp of melody, development and orchestration which sets him apart from his contemporaries as a truly great composer. Greater than Mozart? In some respects, yes, Haydn was superior to Mozart and certainly to my mind these symphonies would suggest that. You be the judge. This disc forms part of the Hanover Band's projected series of recording all of Haydn's 107 symphonies. The Hanover Band use authentic period instruments and principles of performance which to my mind is exactly the right way to hear Haydn. Let's leave technical questions on speeds, repeats, missing orchestrations etc to the musicologists - just sit back and enjoy Haydn's beautiful and above all entertaining symphonies. The sound quality and performances on this disc are absolutely wonderful. I think Haydn would have been pleased.