Haydns Symphonies

I've hoped for volume 12 of the HIP Hogwood set of complete Haydn Symphonies to be released ever since I bought volumes 1-6 (L'Oiseau Lyre). However, I found out from Decca recently that this set won't be completed. This saddens me because the first sets are wonderful and the 'Paris' set of symphonies are some of Haydn's finest. Does anyone have any recommendations? I'd prefer HIP but will consider all recommendations (I'd buy the set Bernstein did with the NYPO in the '60s if it has been released on CD).

It has been released on CD at least twice: in the US as part of Sony's Bernstein 'Royal Edition' and more recently in France. This set and many other CBS recordings unavailable in the States are readily available on French Sony. Still, you never know how long they'll keep it in print.

I have both the Bernstein & Fischer sets & am pleased with both

Thanks for all the recommendations. It's good to know that the Bernstein set is still available. I'm going to order it. Since I posted, I stopped by Virgin Records and picked up a cheapo set with Sigiswald Kuijken leading The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (on Virgin Veritas ~10 USD). I've listened to 'L'Ours' and 'La Poule' and they are splendidly played. I'll listen to the rest of the set tonight.

Simon Roberts mentioned Roy Goodman's #82 and its 'thrillingly vulgar' tympani and brass playing. Actually, listening to Goodman's performance of #82 on the radio was what got me interested in finding these symphonies. However, I didn't want to get them piecemeal, but wanted them in a complete set. (Kuijken's performances of the first 3 are very spirited, not tame by any means. A little more vulgarity in the brass section would not be unwelcome).

Now, to find Lenny!

I'll look for the Helios re-issue of the Haydn. I have Goodman's complete Beethoven cycle and I'm very happy with it.

By the way, I attended Goodman's performance of Handel's opera 'Alcina' here in San Francisco at the S.F. Opera last year. The production was awful, puerile, trashy but the orchestral playing and the singing were sublime. I listened with my eyes closed and it was quite beautiful.

If you want HIP Bruggen and Weil are great. Also, Bernstein's stunner is on CD. But beware of announcing that you are buying anything related to Paris on this newsgroup.

Living in Paris, Texas, might be more interesting than usual....

On the other hand, recent events have served to strengthen my francophilia. I'm boycotting all things Texan. I only wish it had remained an independent Republic.

-david gable

Speaking of which how's the Golescu/Tepper/Koren/et al. boycott of all things French coming along? Personally, I think they went a bit far extending the boycott to French-kissing, although I dare say the impact of that measure is expected to be minimal.