Haydndyah from Lars Ulrik Mortensen & Concerto Copenhagen on Berlin Classics

On this disc, Lars Ulrik Mortensen and Concerto Copenhagen give us three symphonies, all premiered in the course of the interval 1771 to 1772. All three have nicknames, however just one ‘Palindrome’ refers on to the music itself, the opposite names had been acquired later. Mortensen retains his forces small, simply 9 strings, oboes, bassoon and horns, in all probability the kind of dimension Haydn anticipated in any case even a small non-public orchestra was a lavish luxurious in itself, however with out the keyboard continuo that Haydn might need included.

We start with Symphony No. 43 in E flat main ‘Mercury’, and a gap Allegro that mixes grace with crisp drama. There’s an underlying power right here, too, and hints of sturm und drang underneath the floor. The gradual motion has delicate, clear textures with, I feel, muted strings but Mortensen and his gamers use detailed articulation to present it power and an fascinating darkness beneath. The strong but swish minuet and trio receives a compelling efficiency and the symphony ends with the sunshine and fleet finale. Although there are moments of drama, it’s the music’s inventiveness that comes over. In these symphonies, Haydn is experimenting and the satan is within the element. Along with his compact forces, Mortensen actually brings out that sense of element.

Subsequent is Symphony No. 44 in E minor, ‘Trauer’. Its nickname, ‘Mourning’ comes from the truth that Haydn wished its gradual motion to be performed at his memorial service! Issues start with an Allegro con brio that mixes putting unison gesture with minor-key responses. It approaches the kind of ‘take heed to this’ gestures that Haydn would use in his public symphonies for London. There’s an creative irregularity to the music, and the gamers benefit from the contrasts. As soon as once more they allow us to take pleasure in Haydn’s inventiveness while preserving the move of the music going. The minuet and trio (the second motion right here) contains a canon. The music has a vigour to it, this minuet would have been fairly a energetic dance and while we detect the canon it’s included imaginatively into the music. There’s a sublime grace to the Adagio that makes you ponder whether you’re mistaken and that that is minuet, Haydn taking part in his video games, however the music develops with different countermelodies and attractively detailed textures. The finale’s drama is introduced in a compelling but intimate method.

The ultimate symphony on the disc is Symphony no. 47 in G main, ‘Palindrome’ whose title comes from the truth that its third motion minuet and trio are certainly palindromes. The energetic first motion options perky rhythms together with some beautiful rhythmic horn writing that creates a pleasant juice texture on the start. When issues actually kick off, nevertheless, we skitter away delightfully. This additionally, by far, the longest motion on the disc. It by no means palls however by some means doesn’t really feel mammoth, the gamers’ sheer delight actually tells. The gradual motion is austere in really feel, but intimate too, while the palindromic minuet is remarkably vigorous with loads of accents. Oh, however how a lot enjoyable should Haydn have had, writing music that not solely labored forwards or backwards, however made musical sense. Then we end with a finale that presents its materials with a mixture of delicacy and vivid power.