Symphony No. 45 in F sharp minor ("Farewell"/"Candle"/"Letter B"), H. 1/45
Berenice che fai, cantata, H. 24a/10
Symphony No. 15 in D major, H. 1/15
The Haydn 2032 cycle undertaken by the historical-performance group Il Giardino Armonico and its conductor Giovanni Antonini chooses a thematic approach, grouping Haydn's symphonies by general idea and adding in relevant works by Haydn or other composers. Sometimes this involves a bit of a stretch, but generally, Antonini unearths pleasing connections. On L'Addio, for example, listeners get not only the Symphony No. 45 in F sharp minor, Hob. 1/45 ("Farewell"), but also a farewell-themed operatic scena from Haydn's London ...
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The Haydn 2032 cycle undertaken by the historical-performance group Il Giardino Armonico and its conductor Giovanni Antonini chooses a thematic approach, grouping Haydn's symphonies by general idea and adding in relevant works by Haydn or other composers. Sometimes this involves a bit of a stretch, but generally, Antonini unearths pleasing connections. On L'Addio, for example, listeners get not only the Symphony No. 45 in F sharp minor, Hob. 1/45 ("Farewell"), but also a farewell-themed operatic scena from Haydn's London years, an earlier symphony with fascinating structural connections to the "Farewell" symphony, and an imposing early symphony that stands in contrast to the whole group. The physical albums in the series come with substantial booklets, and the one here, among other things, outlines various alternate theories for the "Farewell" Symphony. It may be, for example, that the work was not a hint to Prince Esterházy that the musicians wanted to leave town, but a reproach from Papa Haydn...
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