London Symphonies - Symphonies nos. 97 & 98

"What is striking in the Symphonies 97 en 98 are the beautiful slow movements: Haydn again shows us that he is the master of our feelings. The menuets are catchingly dansant, the trios are refreshing. The first movements of these symphonies start with - as often is the case with Haydn- with a short, slow introduction and directly after that they burst into a fast tempo full of joyfulness and inventiveness. He makes simple themes develop into masterworks in an unsurpassed way. The closing movements, fast in character and starting off with only the strings, are astonishing because of their vitality and structure. Haydn is at his best in the 12 London Symphonies." Ton Koopman in the linernotes Symphonies 97 en 98 are the last of the first set of Haydn's London Symphonies, but still this cd is called vol.1, because the ABO is planning to record all the twelve symphonies, on authentic instrumentation.