The late Sir Colin Davis and the London Symphony Orchestra present a collection of Haydn’s expressive and resplendent London Symphonies alongside the spirited and melodic Oxford Symphony.

Entering a new chapter after the death of Prince Nikolaus Esterházy, Haydn’s forward-looking late symphonies were conceived on a larger scale, and exude all the hallmarks of the composer’s protean maturity. Surpassing even his own high standards and received in concert to enormous success - their expressive strength and inventive mastery of form gave Haydn’s international reputation a substantial boost. Subtlety dramatic and exploring all manner of emotions, through his final symphonies Haydn’s contrapuntal mastery and thematic rigour are laid bare for all to see.

Sir Colin Davis was long recognised as a pre-eminent Haydn interpreter. During his Indian summer with the orchestra he recorded both Die Schöpfung (The Creation) and Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons) for LSO Live. These symphonies presented here were recorded in 2011 during this same period, and make for revelatory listening.

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DSD recording, live at the Barbican, Symphony 92 - 2 & 4 October 2011, Symphony 93 - 11 & 13 December 2011, Symphony 97 - 6 & 9 May 2010, Symphony 98 - 4 & 6 December 2011, Symphony 99 - 26 May & 2 June 2011; 2.0 Stereo and multi-channel (5.0/5.1 TBC)