Haydn's wit without compromise

Concerti

Frank Armbruster, 

22 May 2023 

The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen under Paavo Järvi clearly explores the double entendres in Joseph Haydn's late symphonies.

To begin a symphony with a drum roll - that was considered unheard of in the 18th century. Joseph Haydn, of course, did just that in his Symphony No. 103 - and then some. Anyone looking for revolutionary pathos à la Beethoven or Mozartian magic in Haydn's symphonies may be disappointed - but Haydn took playing with listeners' expectations to extremes: In his Symphony No. 101, for example, he leads the unsuspecting listener on false pianissimo tracks, only to shock him with abrupt sforzati. These ambiguities and inverted commas in Haydn's music are now revealed by the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen on their latest recording with a clarity rarely heard. Paavo Järvi, who as a conductor is noticeably keen to tap the orchestra's technical potential, is keen not to smooth out any of Haydn's wit.