Haydn: Symphonies Nos 92 & 93, 97-99

Top 10 Discs of 2014
These performances simply radiate joy: you can almost see Davis's benevolent smile… I really can't recommend these new performances highly enough.

All of these symphonies' expressive strength and rigour, their invention and mastery of form, are laid bare in these revelatory performances which confirm for all time Sir Colin's reputation as a pre-eminent interpreter of Haydn's music. He doesn't hold back and relishes the warmth of Haydn's sound world.

Sir Colin Davis was famously disinterested in the historically informed school of Haydn, yet there’s so much tender affection for the music and appreciation of its wit and imagination as you just heard, that despite some stately tempi these performances are richly rewarding.

There's so much to admire. The Barbican's dryish acoustic really works in Haydn's favour – timpani are nicely in tune and the LSO solo winds excel. A delectable pair of CDs.

This is a richly rewarding and highly enjoyable set. The playing of the LSO is consistently excellent and one gets the distinct impression that the players were enjoying themselves – as well they might. Sir Colin’s way with Haydn is cultivated and invariably satisfying. These are a fine reminder of the stylish musicality of Sir Coin Davis. Two hours listening to late Haydn symphonies under his perceptive guidance is time very well spent.

The recorded sound is excellent, and final applause has been removed. This is a release to treasure for great music and magnificent readings of it (and one doesn't forget Sir Colin's previous Haydn Symphonies, like tulips, from Amsterdam) ... and the front cover is quite striking in a feel-good way. Believe me, a couple of hours spent in the company of “Papa” Haydn and with a conductor who tapped so perceptively and benevolently into this imaginative and indestructible music (and which is so adaptable to a devoted and without-dogma approach, as here) makes the World a better place.

**** Performance **** Recording
This new selection, recorded live in the Barbican in 2010-11, deploys an equally large orchestral line-up and makes as few concessions to ‘period’ performance. The performance is notaby warmer and more personal, however; it glows with affection for this life-enhancing music.