Classically Oriented

A classically oriented BBC Music mag cover disk of music from Mozart and Haydn performed by the BBC Philharmonic conducted by Gianandrea Noseda. The disk begins with the Overture from the Magic Flute which leads into four Concert Arias sung by soprano Sally Matthews. The arias in question are Vado, ma dove ?, Voi avete un cor fedele, Ah sie in ciel and the recitative and aria Bella mia flamma and Resta, oh cara. Matthews is a lyric soprano ideally suited to this repertoire and she puts across very well the passion and soul that these arias contain. The BBC Phil is slightly restrained in the overture but backs Sally Matthews expertly and then gives a fine modern instrument interpretation off Haydn's Symphony No 3 "Drum Roll" to close the disk. An uncaharacteristically solemn opening follows the drum roll which names the symphony and also unusual is the use of a Croatian theme in the second movement, Croatia not being known as a hot bed of classicism. The symphony eventually unfolds in typically classy Haydn fashion however and since I don't have any commercial Haydn symphonies it is another useful addition.