Robin Ticciati & SCO - Haydn: Symphonies 31, 70 & 101 - The Observer

Are three Haydn symphonies in the same key too much of a good thing? Not if they are so cleverly chosen and done with such brimming fizz and fun as here. Robin Ticciati has selected three from different periods of Haydn's creative life, launching with the terrific horn calls of No 31. I got to love this piece in an old Academy of St Martin's Neville Marriner recording, but this new version has all of Ticciati's period-style flair. No 70 (this one a Rattle favourite) has a sublime neo-baroque andante and a hilarious repeated-note finale (could Rossini have known this?), while Ticciati's "Clock" ticks along with verve and poise. More, please.