The interpretations on this album are based on historical performance practices, with the ensemble orienting itself to the conditions Haydn found or could expect.
Composer Biography
Joseph Haydn, the composer, worked for many years with a small ensemble consisting of two oboes, two horns, and a few strings, yet he created dozens of symphonic works with this limited instrumentation.
Performer Biography
Thomas Fey, the conductor, studied piano and conducting and also 'the performing practice of ancient music' with Nikolaus Harnoncourt at the Salzburg 'Mozarteum'.
Performer Biography
The Heidelberger Sinfoniker, the orchestra on this recording, originated from the Schlierbach Chamber Orchestra, which conductor Thomas Fey founded in 1987 while still a student.
Recording & Production
The Heidelberger Sinfoniker have gained international recognition for their CD recordings on the hänssler CLASSIC label, including a complete recording of Mendelssohn's symphonies and several Beethoven and Mozart albums.
Instruments
For this recording, historical brass instruments and timpani with calfskin heads are used, as their sound is believed to correspond more closely to Haydn's original concept than modern instruments.
