Haydn Jarvi

This release from the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen under conductor Paavo Järvi inaugurates a new series of Haydn's 12 London Symphonies, the last works he wrote in the genre. These are popular works with no shortage of interpretations on the market, but Järvi's readings are distinctive, and the album landed on classical best-seller lists in the spring of 2023. Järvi places Haydn's characteristic humor in the context of high-intensity, high-energy readings. Consider the Trio of the Minuet in the Symphony No. 101 in D major ("The Clock"), where a remarkable rising flute figure rises to a ninth above the tonic, a move not really sanctioned by Classical-period harmony.

There are many different musical "Seasons" aside from Vivaldi's, and next to Haydn's oratorio of the same name, this is probably the most famous example. The complete ballet is of modest length–only 40 minutes or so–and the autumn "Bacchanal" contains what is probably the catchiest tune that Glazunov ever wrote. You'll probably think that you've heard it before, but can't quite figure out where. Neeme Jarvi is always at his best in big, splashy Romantic pieces, and this performance is no exception. He whips the orchestra up to a fine frenzy where necessary, and given Chandos's fine sound and a sensible coupling, you're in for some good listening.

The great Norwegian cellist Truls Mork gathers into a box set of 5 CDs no less than 9 concertos from the vast repertory for cello and orchestra. Recorded during a decade (1991-2001) and released in their time as individuals, these recordings comprise the standard works of his instrument with huge appeal to audiences, namely opuses by Haydn, Dvorak, Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Miaskovsky, and some contemporary pieces by Aaron Jay Kernis. In the recorded performances of these pieces, Mork is paired by top notch orchestras such as London Philharmonic, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Oslo Philharmonic, Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, and world class conductors such as Mariss Jansons, Paavo Jarvi, Eiji Oue and Iona Brown. The captured sound is marvellous throughout.