Donald Satz writes (on Haydn symphonies): >I noticed that a set from Bruggen (82-87?) is finally making its way into >the USA. Any opinions on his performances? There IS a set of the Paris symphonies by Bruggen and the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century. I can strongly recommend these. They are played quite crisply, with a lot of "punch" in them. Bruggen manages in my opinion to bring out to the best some of the elements in Haydn's music that made him the musical revolutionary he was. His modulations, his sense of using orchestral and textural shades in the variations that frequently are the stuff of what the slow movements are made of, all this is really exploited to the full by Bruggen and his excellent playing band. The use of period instruments every so often points out what brilliant ideas Haydn must have had on orchestration. And Donald, in another post you seemed to hint at liking the "martial" aspects of Haydn's War-Mass.... I'd suggest you'd listen in on "La Reine" and marvel at some kettle-drumming.... By the way, your recommendation of Colin Davis' cycle with the Concertgebouw Orkest is a very good one as well. I have also always been very fond of these recordings as well. IMHO Davis treats the music very differently compared to Bruggen, making a lot of the phrasing of the melody lines. This is yet another aspect of Haydn's greatness. greetings, Jos [log in to unmask]