Ormandy conducts Haydn along with a dose of Fiedler for good measure!

Though I have been somewhat ambivalent about Eugene Ormandy over the years, when I saw this lp of him conducting Haydn's Symphonies Nos. 7 and 45, I had to pick it up and offer a transfer, if anything because my fine colleague Mr. Austin would enjoy it immensely...at least I hope he does! The cover above is from the CBS Special Products issue though my copy is the ML 4673 edition. 

Eugene Ormandy did conduct relatively little Haydn perhaps being that Szell, and later Bernstein, were so darn successful with this composer and Columbia could not afford to flood the markets with too much Haydn you know. After listening to this fine issue, I feel that it is a real loss that Ormandy did not explore more of Haydn for he does have a way with these symphonies and his way is superbly supported by the wonderful Philadelphia Orchestra. Let me tell you, the proof is is in the pudding - just listen to the adagio "farewell" from Symphony 45, so beautifully shaped and played. This is probably the finest "exit" I have ever heard for this unique work. In the earlier, "Le Midi", Ormandy's interpretation affords this early symphony a greater stature and place in the canon. It just sounds not too far away from the "London" symphonies which were years in the future. I say this as a compliment to Ormandy's interpretative skill, not as a cheap shot towards Haydn as a composer. All in all, I am glad to have come across this in the dollar pile; it is worth many times that!

The filler: I've had this under 30 minute Camden reissue of Fiedler conducting the 1812 Overture and the William Tell Overture for sometime. I've been waiting to find a suitable place for it in a post and I think its a nice filler here alongside the Ormandy. Two rather contemporary recordings by two outstanding musical ensembles. Those accustomed to Fiedler's later 1812's may be in for a surprise here. This is Markevitch type conducting, no nonsense, brisk, totally unsentimental, and technically impressive on an instrumental level. Without cannons and other electronic gimmicktry, Fiedler lets the percussion cut loose for a battle royale. Very impressive job by all and I'm sure this one is up my friend Buster's alley!

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Paul Sacher conducts two cassations of W A Mozart

From a while back....Paul Sacher conducting the cassations K 63 and K 99 of W A Mozart.

In a previous post, I mentioned my admiration for Sacher so I thought another offering was in order. These occasional pieces are really quite enjoyable and full of experimentation by the youthful Mozart, at least that's what I hear when I listen to them. My opinion is that they are among the more interesting of Mozart's early works but they somehow get shortchanged. Oh well..at least Sacher took the time with his excellent Zurich group to bring them to life on vinyl and we can all be grateful for that!

As fillers, I've included items from a Stradivari lp, (notes within) of wind music by Haydn and Mozart. These pieces are uncomplicated and admittedly, 2nd rate work by both the composers, in the case of Mozart, probably 3rd rate. However, it is important for us to remember that not everything by these masters were masterpieces; much was tossed off to suit an occasion and the small payment that came along with the commission! The Haydn serenades are performed well by the wind players of the Vienna SO, the Mozart pieces are at best "tolerably" attempted by the Salzburg wind ensemble. Still, an interesting listen, though Sacher is the only first rate performance on this particular post.

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