Haydn: "Oxford" & "London" Symphonies

Thoroughly enjoyable and completely respectable, these performances of Haydn's "Oxford" and "London" symphonies coupled with Mozart's "Paris" Symphony show that Charles Groves was more than just a terrific conductor of modernist English music. With the English Sinfonia, a slightly larger than chamber-sized modern instrument orchestra based in London, Groves leads light, lively, and lyrical performances that bring out Haydn's wit and Mozart's warmth. Better known outside his homeland for his Delius, Bliss, and Brian ... Read More

Thoroughly enjoyable and completely respectable, these performances of Haydn's "Oxford" and "London" symphonies coupled with Mozart's "Paris" Symphony show that Charles Groves was more than just a terrific conductor of modernist English music. With the English Sinfonia, a slightly larger than chamber-sized modern instrument orchestra based in London, Groves leads light, lively, and lyrical performances that bring out Haydn's wit and Mozart's warmth. Better known outside his homeland for his Delius, Bliss, and Brian recordings, Groves brings to Haydn and Mozart propulsive drive and infectious high spirits, making their symphonies sound both grander and more approachable than many of his contemporaries' performances. Played with irresistible verve and infinite delight by the English Sinfonia and remastered in clean digital sound by Regis, this disc will be a fine addition to any collection of classical symphonies and a welcome reminder that there is more to English conductors than just English music. ~... Read Less