Haydn 2032, Vol. 20: For English Gentlemen

This twentieth volume of the Complete Haydn Symphonies, edited by Giovanni Antonini, highlights the popularity of Haydn’s music in England during the 1790s. Although Haydn himself was unable to travel to London, he sent his music there instead, for no fewer than eleven of his symphonies were performed during the twelve evenings of the first season of the “Grand Concert” in 1782—the year of Johann Christian Bach’s death, the youngest son of Johann Sebastian, who directed this concert series in London. This album is dedicated to him, for in addition to Haydn’s Symphonies Nos. 76, 77, and 78, the Basel Chamber Orchestra and Giovanni Antonini have recorded J. C. Bach’s Symphony in G minor, Op. 6 No. 6, which was published in 1769. Also worth reading in the album booklet is Antonini’s fascinating analysis of Haydn’s “humore inglese” in his symphonies!