Haydn Symphonies

The most welcome of Hyperion's bargain label, Helios, reissues consists of recordings of Haydn's symphonies on 17 bargain priced CDs which are available individually. All feature Roy Goodman conducting his Hanover Band and each disc has about 70 generous minutes of recording. (Added here it's a Nimbus Records CD with Symphonies 94, 100 & 104 for a total of 18 CDs).

These four symphonies have been specially recorded for the upcoming Decca Classics Haydn: Complete Symphonies, a 36 CD set to be released in 2016. This will be the first Haydn symphony cycle on period instruments. Accademia Bizantina under Ottavio Dantone return to Decca, with future projects including repertoire from both Bach and Mozart. This little-known quartet of Haydn symphonies 78-81 date from the years 1782-1784 when Haydn still served as kapellmeister to the Esterhazy family in their spectacular summer and winter palaces in Esterháza (present day Hungary) and Eisenstadt (Austria) where the music was first performed.