Haydn: Symphony No. 83 in G minor 'The Hen' (Die Henne, La Poule)

Thomas Fey’s repertoire ranges from Bach to Brahms and he has focused on the symphonies and solo concertos of Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and Mendelssohn. The international music press has poured out a flood of acclaim for the Heidelberger Sinfoniker’s fiery, unusual interpretations. A number of their recordings have received international awards.

Ernest Ansermet was the first conductor to record the six "Paris" symphonies of Haydn. Charming works, full of humorous touches, they were reissued often on LP, with some of the most entertaining covers ever seen (these are reproduced in the booklet).

What do modern scholars of Joseph Haydn have to say about the Paris Symphonies? Robbins Landon calls them "a remarkable fusion of brilliance, elegance, and warmth." Charles Rosen writes: "There is not a measure, even the most serious, of these great works which is not marked by Haydn's wit; and his wit has now grown so powerful and so efficient that it has become a sort of passion, a force at once omnivorous and creative.”

Parisian audiences loved the works of the Austrian Haydn, and were thrilled when the Comte d'Ogny commissioned a set of six symphonies for performance by the finest orchestra in Paris at Le Concert de la Loge Olympique.

Fortunately in our time, this re-release of the Paris Symphonies also has a superb group of the finest musicians in Jeanne Lamon and the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra.

The Hungarian cellist Robert Nagy performs Haydn’s Cello Concerto in D Major. In 2005 he became the principal cellist of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The other concerto on this CD is the Oboe Concerto in C Major which was originally and wrongly attributed to Haydn. It is performed by Martin Gabriel, who has made many recordings including the Strauss Oboe Concerto with Previn on DG.

These works were popular from the very first performances. The Estonian-born conductor Kristjan Järvi is well known for his insight into a wide range of repertoire.