The music speaks its own greatness and timelessness to which Paavo Järvi & DKAM bring vitality, vividness, expressive shape, and bags of personality. This second leg of their ‘London’ project, now halfway completed, is played with typically nimble unanimity, eloquence, and collective enjoyment. Symphony 99 in E-flat (Magic Flute Overture, ‘Eroica’ Symphony, ‘Emperor’ Concerto, Heldenleben) is especially beguiling, contrasted with the C-minor 95, its darker hues not overdone, the second movement serenade-like, then a rather severe Minuet (unlike Järvi’s very spirited way with that of No.94), its Trio brightened by a solo cello, and the lights stay on for the jubilant major-key Finale, trumpets and timpani healthily in the mix. No.98 opens imposingly, the first movement demanding, and getting, antiphonal violins, as well as enthusiastically rolled out. Whether the Adagio consciously opens with a reference to the UK National Anthem, or not, Järvi mines it productively, then gives the Minuet a lift, followed by a Finale that dances infectiously (although the long pause before the exposition repeat concerns me), with a coda that includes a burst of a fortepiano (almost certainly the instrument that Haydn directed performances from) rather than the presumed harpsichord used in recordings from days of yore. This is a 98 to stand with classics such as Jochum (his Berlin rather than the later LPO account, both DG) and Szell (CBS/Sony) or, more recently, Leonard Slatkin (RCA/Sony). RCA Red Seal 19802861852 (2 CDs). Vol.3 keenly awaited.
Paavo Järvi & Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen record Volume Two of Haydn’s ‘London’ Symphonies – 94 (Surprise), 95, 98 & 99 – for RCA Red Seal.
