Haydn: Symphony No. 92 in G major 'Oxford'

“Fey has form for his previous heavy-handed telling of Haydn's jokes but, mirabile dictu, he plays this one pretty much straight...just about the best offering yet in this occasionally exasperating but always thought-provoking series.” Gramophone Magazine, May 2012

“This remains the best available version of Haydn’s splendid Symphony No. 99 in E flat” Gramophone Magazine

“meticulous dynamics and sensitive phrasing” Gramophone Magazine (Schubert Symphony No. 6)

“gracious pleasure to be obtained from the sunshine” Gramophone Magazine (Mendelssohn Symphony No. 4)

“Delightful Viennese peasants in minuet of Surprise and warm good humour in No. 99” BBC Music Magazine, June 2011 ****

“Symphony No. 92… is one of his most dazzling symphonies… More mellow, and less well known, is the E flat Symphony No. 91… perhaps greater than either is the absurdly neglected Scena di Berenice - a vivid depiction of Berenice driven to distraction by the death of her lover, Demetrio. ...Bernarda Fink... hers is an admirably rich and full voice, and she performs the piece with intense passion.” BBC Music Magazine, June 2005 *****

“A glorious account of Beethoven's (for me) greatest concerto, with Casadesus and Wand engaging in excitingly complementary approaches. The Haydn Symphony is almost massive, but convincing; the Bach ravishing.” BBC Music Magazine, November 2008 *****

“Rattle offers Haydn writ large, imposing in concept even in the relatively reserved No 89. The trumpet and timpani interjections in the otherwise hymning slow movement of No 88 are startlingly forceful. Strength of interpretative character and virtuoso playing are in abundance everywhere, no more so than in No 90 - horns ringing in C alto-that ends in a manic Allegro assai.” Gramophone Magazine, October 2007

“To hear this great music played by an orchestra of the calibre of the Berlin Philharmonic is a rare treat indeed. These are all highly polished performances, with particularly delightful accounts of the rustic trios in the minuets of Nos 88 and 89.” BBC Music Magazine, August 2007 ****

“Rattle exudes the most dashing élan you could imagine. He tingles with meticulous devotion to his task. And he understands how to make Haydn’s music smile. The musical surprises in which Haydn took such delight cannot come as a surprise to Rattle, of course - and yet he gives that impression, with evident pleasure to boot. One can sense that he absolutely loves this music. Haydn is dear to his heart - and to his intellect too” Berliner Morgenpost, February 2007

"The power and focus of the singing are magnetic…Once again, as in so many of her recordings, she firmly establishes herself as one of the most compelling mezzos of her generation." Gramophone