Otto Klemperer – Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 98, 101 “The Clock” & 104 “London” (2023) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Otto Klemperer – Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 98, 101 “The Clock” & 104 “London” (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 01:27:19 minutes | 3,34 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Warner Classics

Otto Klemperer (1885-1973), expelled from Germany in 1933 because of his Jewish origins, spent most of the last years of his life in London, where he led the Philharmonia Orchestra, founded by Walter Legge in 1946, a distinguished orchestral association that was called upon primarily for record productions but also played a prominent role in London and international concert life. He died, however, in 1973 at a ripe old age in Zurich, where his final resting place is located.

Between 1960 and 1971 Klemperer recorded a total of eight late Haydn symphonies with this orchestra, namely Nos. 88, 92, 95, 98, 100, 101, 102 and 104. In Germany they have been made available again in their entirety in an attractive 3-CD album.

However, if you are more interested in individual releases in the original LP presentation, you are advised to check out this CD, which includes the symphonies No. 98 in B-flat major and No. 101 in D major “The Clock”.

These are recordings away from the usual routine, strictly analytical, even a bit edgy, not to say gnarly, and thus correspond to the conductor’s style, which he generally represented in those years. But since his approach led him to fascinating insights, the recordings will retain their value and are indispensable not only for the many Klemperer admirers but also for lovers of Haydn’s symphonies. The conductor does not, as far as I have been able to ascertain, use the purified Robbins Landon versions, but corrupted scores (like his great English colleague Sir Thomas Beecham), but his clearly structured interpretations betray an unmistakable affection for Haydn’s works at every point. This is particularly noteworthy because this music was little appreciated by star conductors in the first two decades after World War II. Those who own Dorati’s meritorious complete recording with the Philharmonia Hungarica (Decca) get brilliant alternatives here that challenge many a comparison.

The sound quality, after digital transfer, is fine even for high standards. Unfortunately, there is no useful text supplement for European music lovers in this Japanese edition.

Tracklist:
1-01. Otto Klemperer – Symphony No. 98 in B-Flat Major, Hob. I:98: I. Adagio – Allegro (06:27)
1-02. Otto Klemperer – Symphony No. 98 in B-Flat Major, Hob. I:98: II. Adagio (07:49)
1-03. Otto Klemperer – Symphony No. 98 in B-Flat Major, Hob. I:98: III. Menuetto – Trio (05:59)
1-04. Otto Klemperer – Symphony No. 98 in B-Flat Major, Hob. I:98: IV. Finale. Presto (06:47)
1-05. Otto Klemperer – Symphony No. 101 in D Major, Hob. I:101 “The Clock”: I. Adagio – Presto (07:27)
1-06. Otto Klemperer – Symphony No. 101 in D Major, Hob. I:101 “The Clock”: II. Andante (08:35)
1-07. Otto Klemperer – Symphony No. 101 in D Major, Hob. I:101 “The Clock”: III. Menuetto. Allegro – Trio (08:12)
1-08. Otto Klemperer – Symphony No. 101 in D Major, Hob. I:101 “The Clock”: IV. Finale. Vivace (04:44)
1-09. Otto Klemperer – Symphony No. 104 in D Major, Hob. I:104 “London”: I. Adagio – Allegro (08:58)
1-10. Otto Klemperer – Symphony No. 104 in D Major, Hob. I:104 “London”: II. Andante (10:06)
1-11. Otto Klemperer – Symphony No. 104 in D Major, Hob. I:104 “London”: III. Menuetto. Allegretto – Trio (04:57)
1-12. Otto Klemperer – Symphony No. 104 in D Major, Hob. I:104 “London”: IV. Finale. Allegro spiritoso (07:14)

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