I listened to this one on a walk to Lakeside Island Park, where they’re continuing to do some work along the shoreline.

Vehicles

Path

I listened to most of it over again while warming up leftover chimichangas. I stuck with the Christopher Hogwood recording again for this symphony and didn’t find myself searching for an alternative, like last time.

Haydn

The first movement (‘Adagio’) was pretty boring for over 2 minutes before sputtering to silence and then bursting to life. Even Webster admits the intro “is altogether much too long for the purpose.” The movement stayed interesting for most of the remaining four minutes, though that was still maybe a bit long to go on.

Around 1:30 in the second movement (‘Minuet & trio’), there’s an oboe-driven section with plucked strings that has a pretty interesting personality, but it’s bookended by a stately dance section that does nothing of real interest.

The third and final movement (‘Presto’) has an energizing opening, immediately presenting you with a distinctive run of notes, and keeps up a manic energy, shifting between quiet and loud, dark tones and bright tones. One of the better prestos I’ve heard from Haydn in a while.

Overall, not that remarkable, but verging on pretty good. The only part that offended me was the first two minutes of the opening movement — that was way too boring.

Length: 13:43
Next up: Symphony No. 33