Haydn: Eight Keyboard Concerti

Concerto for organ and orchestra in C major HobXVIII:1. Concerto for harpsichord and orchestra in D major HobXVIII:2. Concerto for harpsichord and orchestra in C major HobXVIII:5. Concerto for fortepiano and orchestra in G major HobXVIII. Concerto for fortepiano and orchestra in D major HobXVIII. Concerto for organ and orchestra in C major HobXVIII:10. Concerto for harpsichord and orchestra in F major HobXVIII:3. Concerto for organ and orchestra in C major HobXVIII:8.

Christine Schornsheim (Fortepiano, Harpsichord & Organ)
Neue Düsseldorfer Hofmusik/Mary Utiger

Capriccio Records CAP 5022 [2 CDs, TT: 2 hr.13 min]

These early Haydn concerti (a form far less prestigious at the time than the Symphony) are played interchangeably on early keyboard instruments, as happened around the time of their composition and first performances.

This gives the two discs welcome variety of texture, and Schornsheim is equally adept on all three instruments; the fortepiano by Dulchen 1793, the harpsichord and chamber organ modern copies.

She has previously explored "minor" composers of the period (Kirnberger, Muthel, Rosetti, WF Bach,
JC Bach, E W Wolf & Naumann) on Capriccio CAP49541 to great effect.

A recommendable addition to Haydn collections for all who have acquired the complete symphonies on the essential (and absurdly inexpensive) Nimbus re-issue of the Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra/Ádám Fischer series.

Peter Grahame Woolf