Handel Coronation Anthems review — blazing in confidence

The Times

Geoff Brown

26.04.2023

Paavo Järvi Paavo Järvi

Haydn: London Symphonies No 101 & 103

★★★★★

 

Pop another champagne cork for the first volume in Paavo Järvi’s series of Haydn symphonies with the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen. Instead of ploughing through the whole lot (104), he is concentrating on the final 12, the “London” symphonies from the 1790s. The opening release brings the Clock and Drum Roll (101 and 103), both delivered with enough wisdom, ensemble precision, phrasing subtleties and general playfulness to make me long for more.

Haydn’s jokes and delight in incongruity are commonly noted, but it’s not often that performances actually make a listener laugh out loud. These did, regularly. Haydn is revealed in all his rainbow colours, technical mastery and engaging complexities. I’ve not enjoyed such a pleasurable experience since playing the Handel album above and wearing my new Marks & Spencer slippers. (Harmonia Mundi; RCA Red Seal)

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/justin-doyle-handel-coronation-anthems-review-zbdw39d0c