Jeremy Siepmann’s ‘Life
and Works’ series of music education
compilations for Naxos grows apace with
this latest release, a sumptuous 4 CD
and 150-page booklet compilation devoted
to the genius of Haydn. It is a fitting
companion set to Naxos’s Life and Works
of Mozart (Naxos 8.558061-64). All compilations
in this series are distinguished by
their erudition and Siepmann’s relaxed,
easy, often humorous style of delivering
a wealth of fascinating information
supported by musical excerpts from the
ever-growing range of Naxos classical
music recordings. In this instance,
though, some six Haydn excerpts are
included courtesy of Hyperion, Hänssler
Classic and Arabesque Records.
The booklet comprises:
a historical background (of the 18th
century) to the life of Haydn as well
as an article about Haydn in his time
and his major works and their significance.
A very helpful listening plan guides
new listeners into and through Haydn’s
vast output. There is a helpful guide
and critique to further reading plus
a 41-page calendar of Haydn’s life that
also takes in parallel arts, cultural
and historical events. The whole is
rounded off with a useful glossary of
technical musical terms.
The CDs are enhanced
with separate visual elements in CD-ROM
format that can be accessed by Windows
and Macintosh users enabling viewing
of all the booklet material and complete
spoken text on-screen (for printing
if required) within which there are
links between chapters, and to the Internet.
Jeremy Siepmann’s commentary
holds the attention throughout. He covers
Haydn’s life fully and includes extracts
from the composer’s correspondence and
commentaries from his contemporaries.
Beginning with Haydn’s humble origins,
his schoolboy pranks (one of which got
him into hot water with the Empress),
the story progresses through his early
years of struggle and growing fame to
his long years of servitude at Esterhàz.
Here on the Austro-Hungarian border,
in a palace built on little more than
a swamp, insect-ridden in summer and
icy cold in the winter, his comparative
isolation forced him to become very
innovative, enriching and widening the
scope of his music. Later after the
death of his Prince, the years when
he was fêted in London are covered
and then the late masterpieces, The
Creation and The Seasons
completed shortly before his death.
The excerpts are generous,
culled from: 10 symphonies, 3 string
quartets, 2 piano sonatas, from The
Creation and The Seasons
and miscellaneous vocal and operatic
and liturgical works etc.
Absorbing, illuminating
with a light and humorous treatment,
this compilation will appeal to students
and all Haydn lovers and as an invaluable
lecturing tool.
Ian Lace
Written and narrated by Jeremy Siepmann