recordings: Haydn sonatas

[Saturn]

Any recommendations on good recordings of the Haydn sonatas?

[bernhard]

For selections of them, Emannuel Ax. Ivo Pogorelich and Andras Schiff.

For the complete set, John MacCabe (Decca), Walter Olbertz (Edel) and Jenos Jando (Naxos). The Jenos Jando one, has the advantage that you can buy the CDs separately (they are cheaper too.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[Shagdac]

I have not heard the others Bernhard mentioned. But I do have the one by Emmanuel Ax, and find it excellent.

S

[bernhard]

I have not heard the others Bernhard mentioned. But I do have the one by Emmanuel Ax, and find it excellent.

S

Yes, Emanuel Ax is an excellent pianist, and in my opinion very underrated.

[Saturn]

Thanks, Susan and Bernhard!

I would most likely be looking at selections of the sonatas, rather than the entire set (for price reasons).

I'm not familiar with any of the sonatas.  Which pieces should I start with?

- Saturn

[Hmoll]

One of the rare instances I disagree with Bernhard. I never liked Ax. Don't like his sound.

My favorite Haydn recording is the Schiff. Too bad he didn't record all of them.

[bernhard]

One of the rare instances I disagree with Bernhard. I never liked Ax. Don't like his sound.

My favorite Haydn recording is the Schiff. Too bad he didn't record all of them.

I think I am going to throw a tantrum...

Saturn:

I am not sure what to say. Do you mean a suggestion for listening? If so probably the late sonatas are the most satisfying (I particularly like Hob XVI/52 in Eb major).

In fact Hmoll is right, Although I like Ax, the sonatas in his CD are not the best (in my opinion). Schiff has a far better selection. However, keep in mind that it is a double CD (here in the UK it retails for £ 32). For this amount you could almost get the whole set from naxos (10 CDs at £ 40).

I definitely suggest that you get the complete set, because besides the fact I like most of them, just like the Beethoven sonatas, they show Haydn's musical development.

If you are asking suggestions for playing/teaching, as I said I like most of them. In any case, here are my favourites (approximate grades in brackets):


Sonata XVI/8 in G major - Allegro (5) - Menuet (2/3) - Andante (2/3) - Finalle: Allegro (2/3 or less)

Sonata XVI/7 in C major - Allegro moderato (4) - Menuet and trio (4) - Finale: Allegro (5)

Sonata XVI/9 in F major - Allegro (5) - Menuet and Trio (4) Scherzo (2)

Sonata XVI/G1 in G major - Allegro (5) - Menueto (2/3) - Finale: Presto (5)

Sonata XVI/11 in G major - Presto (5) - Andante (4) - Menuet and trio (5)

Sonata XVI/10 in C major - Moderato (5) - Menuet and Trio (4) - Finale: Presto (5)

Sonata XVI/D1 in D major - Moderato (5) - Menuet (3 or less) - Finale: Allegro (5)

Sonata XVI/5 in A major -      Allegro (7) Menuet and trio (2/3) Finale: Presto (6)

Sonata XVI/4 in D major - Moderato (5) Menuet and Trio (4)

Sonata XVI/1 in C major - Allegro (5) - Adagio (4) - Menuet and Trio (2/3)

Sonata XVI/12 in A major - Andante (6) - Menuet and Trio (5) - Finale: Allegro molto (5)

Sonata XVI/6 in G major - Allegro (7) - Menuet and Trio (6) - Adagio (5) -Finale (6)

Sonata XVI/14 in D major - Allegro moderato (7) - Menuet and Trio (5) - Finale: Allegro (6)

Sonata XVI/46 in Ab major - Allegro moderato (8 ) - Adagio(8 ) - Finale: Presto (7)

Sonata XVI/43 in Ab major - Moderato (7) - Menuetto (2/3) - Rondo: Presto (7)

Sonata XVI/22 in E major - Allegro moderato (7) - Andante (6) Finale: Tempo di menuet (6)      

Sonata XVI/27 no. 42 in G major - Allegro con Brio (6) - Menuet (5) - Finale: Presto (5)

Sonata XVI/34 in E minor - Presto (7) - Adagio (6) - Finale: Vivace molto (6)

Sonata XVI/50 in C major - Allegro (8+) - Adagio (7) - Finale: Allegro molto (7)

Sonata XVI/52 in Eb major - Allegro (8+) - Adagio (8+) - Finale: Presto (8 )

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[Saturn]

Saturn:

I am not sure what to say. Do you mean a suggestion for listening?

Both for listening and playing.  But, thanks for your list, it's exactly what I wanted.

- Saturn

[erik-]

I love Glenn Gould's recordings of 6 of the Haydn's late sonatas.

[cziffra]

Geoffrey Lancaster has an AMAZING way of playing these sonatas, he's brilliant.  he recorded them on an old fortepiano- after each take, they had to retune!