From 1985 to 1992, Trevor Pinnock and his period ensemble, the English Concert, with the Choir of the English Concert, recorded an impressive series of albums devoted to the symphonies, concertos, and choral masterpieces of Franz Joseph Haydn, which were issued on the prestigious Archiv Produktion label. While many of these releases are available separately, this 2014 box set brings them all together in one convenient and affordable package. Pinnock's imaginative interpretations and the orchestra's lively playing make these genuinely exciting renditions, and they were among the earliest of historically informed performances to appear on a major label. Now that authentic period practices and original instrumentation are more commonly heard in Classical repertoire, the recordings may have lost some of their ability to surprise, but they have proved durable over time. Included are the early symphonies, "Le Matin," "Le Midi," and "Le Soir," the "Strum und Drang" symphonies of the middle period, the three violin concertos, the concertos for trumpet, oboe, and harpsichord, three masses, the Te Deum, and the Stabat Mater. This 12-CD set is a remarkable bargain for collectors and anyone interested in hearing Haydn played with brilliance.
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