John Wiser writes in reply to William Jenks: >Surely not L'Archibudelli? If a Sony Vivarte CD, then it is likely to be >Tafelmusik led by Bruno Weil. ... I think you're right there. In my view the Weil set is good but a bit overrated. >My advice: Goodman/Hanover seems to have hung it up after 17 CDs, about >two-thirds of the total. All of them are worth investigating. ... I thought I read that Goodman had finished the series. Have to check this out. >My personal reaction to Hogwood is that everything is either a little or >a lot underplayed. The first six volumes did not persuade me to take the >investigation any further. No harpsichord in this series. It's this individuality that makes the Hogwood set interesting. >Why does one have to have every dam' note? There are other worthwhile sets >of more limited scope: Yep I agree. One wonders why Haydn marked all these repeats which occassionaly detract from the impact of the works. Can anyone shed light on which editions have them? I can see how Haydn might have wanted to include repeats to expand individual works for Prince Nicholas' liking but for general publication? It's odd. >Pinnock/English Concert: Nos. 6-8 and the "Sturm & Drang" Symphonies >on a total of seven CDs. These have a good deal of bite and thrust, and >plenty of dynamic contrast, but the performances seldom go over the top in >ways which this music would seem to invite. [DG Archiv]. I agree here too. When these came out I waited with bated breath for each new issue. Now looking back I find them often bland and understated. It has been said that Pinnock achieved his success "by watering down the HIP message." - HIFI news. >Orpheus Chamber Orchestra -- distinctly non-HIP -- shows what a couple of >dozen technically masterful and musically intelligent NY freelancers can >do when properly motivated. I come back to these eight CDs over and over, >with undiminishing delight. [DG] I agree here again superb stuff. But lacks something that authentic performance has. Incidentaly I had a CD from this series with corrosion as well (see my other post). DG told me it was discontinued so they were unable to replace it (offered credit). >Siggy Kuijken with La Petit Bande has recorded at least three CDs variously >containing symphonies nos. 26/52/53, 88/89/92, and 90/91, satisfactory >performances is slightly distracting acoustics. [Virgin Classics]. >With the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, in similar recording >circumstances, Kuijken has done the "Paris" symphonies respectably [Virgin >Classics]. In my view the Paris set is the more successfull. There is a certain astringency about the other recordings. Bob Draper [log in to unmask]