Day Trilogy

Haydn: Die Tageszeiten ("Times Of Day"); Symphonies Nos. 6, 7 & 8 / Herbig, Staatskapelle Berlin, Haydn / Petite Bande / Kuijken, Composer: Franz Joseph Haydn, Conductor: Günther Herbig, Orchestra/Ensemble: Berlin Staatskapelle Orchestra, Number of Discs: 1. At last, a fine period-instrument disc of the Morning, Noon, and Night Symphonies! La Petite Bande produces robust sound from a string section with a complement (2/2/1/1/1) comparable to Haydn's Read more Recitative Adagio of "Le Midi." The warm, rich transverse flutes are especially lovely in the following Adagio. As has happened in other recordings, I'm not sure how a single-cello ensemble manages that movement, which has simultaneous lines for Violoncello concertante and for Violoncello e Basso. Both are present here, so probably the double bass goes it alone. Kuijken has never been one for the slashing attacks so prized by modern symphony orchestras, which have even penetrated into recordings of these 1761 works. His friendly, intimate ensemble suits early Haydn perfectly; the Menuets in particular benefit from the sense of happy country dancing. We have become accustomed to performances which take the Allegro finale of "Le Matin" at a near- Presto tempo; Kuijken restores a true Allegro. A first reaction is that it is too slow, but he soon convinces us that it is eminently right. This is important when considering the three symphonies as a set-which we often do these days: "Le Midi" also ends Allegro (which Kuijken takes a bit faster than in "La Matin"), as Haydn saves Presto for his final finale. Even there, however, Kuijken's is a moderate Presto, allowing all the instrumental details to come through. While I do prefer quicker tempos here and there, these consistent, gentle performances are most satisfying. As you will have guessed from the total timing, Kuijken takes all repeats, except in Menuets da capo. The recorded sound is a bit too reverberant, but not enough so to interfere with the performances. Thanks to producer Olaf Mielke for the 20-second pauses between symphonies. If you are looking for this disc, the cover reads: Joseph Haydn. Die Tageszeiten (The Day Trilogy). - FANFARE: James H. North