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Posted by John Quinn on October 2, 2007, 8:58 pm, in reply to "Rattle's Haydn" It's perfectly true that there is moulding and shaping of phrase ends, of which the first movement introduction to number 88 is a case in point. But I don't find that that's done to an excessive degree and I interpret that as care and affection rather than affectation. I'm listening - yet again - to the finale of that very symphony as I type this and I simply can't agree that the performance is flabby or lacking in tension: the music bowls along brightly and energetically. It may not be the most lithe performance one has ever heard but to my ears it's engaging and spirited and I'd certainly absolve Rattle of the charge of flabbiness. I will admit that if you like horns to register strongly - even to rasp sometimes - then the recording of number 90 may disappoint, for the horns are well integrated into the overall orchestral texture; they don't absolutely command the listener's attention. I relish rasping horns in the right context. Such a sound can add real musical seasoning, especially in performances on period instruments. However, I don't object to the more integrated sound on this occasion. I'd be inclined to think the blending of the horns is Rattle's doing more than the work of the engineers. Mr Waud clearly has access to a far deeper discography of Haydn performances than I do and as such I respect his views very much. What I tried to reflect in my listening and in my review comments is the perspective of the general collector rather than that of the specialist. I've also tried honestly to report what I've heard. I think these performances, though they may not appeal to everyone, will give much pleasure to many listeners but I would certainly echo Mr Waud's recommendation that prospective purchasers should sample, if they can, before buying - but arguably that's true of any recording. Just as Mr Waud disagrees with almost everything I said about these Rattle poerformances so I, politely but firmly, disagree with the majority of his remarks. On one thing, however, I'm very glad to see that we do agree, namely that everyone hears recordings differently. In that spirit, it would be interesting to hear the views of anyone else who has heard these performances.
90.199.185.27
I am very sorry that Raymond Waud purchased this pair of CDs after reading my review and was then so severely disappointed. I've done some repeat listening, especially to Symphony 88, as a direct result of reading his comments and I have to say, with all due respect, that I stand by my original comments.
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