Haydn: Symphony No. 101 in D major 'The Clock' (Die Uhr)

In 1961, at age 86, Pierre Monteux was appointed chief conductor with the London Symphony Orchestra on a 25-year contract. It was typical of his sense of humour that he chose to sign a contract of such length at this time in his life, but there is no doubt that the brief period he enjoyed with the LSO – he died three years later, in 1964 – was one of the most remarkable Indian summers enjoyed by any conductor.

Here reissued are absolute classics of the recorded oeuvre, in absolutely sublime sound and with a real degree of punch that informed the “Decca” sound of the 1950s-70s. For all the historically-informed, so called ‘authentic’ recordings of Haydn, the Monteux/Wiener Philharmoniker synthesis is one of absolute magic. And deeply felt, expertly paced, are the Brahms Haydn Variations.

Recording producers: John Culshaw (Haydn); James Walker (Brahms)

Recording engineers: James Brown (Haydn); Cyril Windebank (Brahms)

Recording locations: Sofiensaal, Vienna, Austria, April 1959 (Haydn); Kingsway Hall, London, December 1958 (Brahms)

The Concilium musicum Vienna, which plays on authentic period instruments, was founded by Paul and Christoph Angerer in 1982 and has since elaborated an extensive musical spectrum from the music of the Baroque period to the dance music of the 19th century. The 30th anniversary of the ensemble was celebrated in the festival hall of the Austrian Academy of Sciences with a concert that is now being released as a CD. They performed Symphonies No. 39 by Johann Michael Haydn and No. 101 in D major ‘The Clock’ by Joseph Haydn. For the Concerto in A major for Basset Clarinet KV 622 by Wolfgang Amadéus Mozart, the clarinetist Ernst Schlader uses an instrument reconstructed from historical sources.

San Francisco’s Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra celebrates its 30th Anniversary Season in 2010-11. Led by Music Director Nicholas McGegan since 1985, Philharmonia Baroque is recognised as one of the finest chamber orchestras, as well as one of the most exciting period instrument ensembles, in the country. This trio of Haydn symphonies displays the remarkably consistent quality and inventiveness of the composer’s output: from the clever and concise symphony No.88 to the humorous ‘Clock’ to the dazzling and sonorous Symphony No.104 (Haydn’s swan song to the genre), this superb collection bears eloquent witness to Haydn’s consummate mastery.

The Wiener Mozartisten consists of a core group of 13 Vienna Philharmonic members and this is added to with invited first class Viennese musicians according to the repertoire. Their aim is to nurture and maintain the Viennese music-making ideals.