The Haydn Album: Debut Release From The Australian Haydn Ensemble

The Australian Haydn Ensemble (AHE) has released it debut recording on ABC Classics, The Haydn Album, performing three major works by the composer from whom they have taken their name, the eighteenth-century composer Joseph Haydn. An ensemble of gifted musicians with a wealth of national and international experience, the AHE with Artistic Direction by Skye McIntosh, is quickly establishing a worthy reputation for its vivacious, historically informed performances, which are faithful to the sound-world that Haydn and his contemporaries created.

The Haydn Album opens with the Cello Concerto in C major, performed by ARIA-Award-winning cellist Daniel Yeadon. Written for Joseph Weigl, a young musician with whom Haydn performed, the concerto centres around an astonishingly beautiful cantabile – ‘singing’ – slow movement.

Erin Helyard performs the Harpsichord Concerto in D major – most often heard on piano, but returned here to an instrument on which it would have been performed when it was first written. The centrepiece of the disc is the Symphony ‘Le matin’ (‘Morning’), with its stunning opening evocation of a sunrise.

The Haydn Album was recorded by acclaimed Tonmeister and ARIA Award winning record producer and engineer, Virginia Read. The interpretation of the music by the Australian Haydn Ensemble represents the very latest in performance practice – including bowing techniques and the use of the harpsichord as the solo instrument in the concerto and within the orchestra as part of the symphony.

The album was recorded in December 2015 and March 2016 in the Eugene Goossens Hall, ABC Ultimo Centre.
The tracks:
JOSEPH HAYDN 1732–1809
Cello Concerto in C major, Hob.VIIb:1: 1. I. Moderato/ 2. II. Adagio/ 3. III. Allegro molto, Daniel Yeadon cello

Symphony No. 6 in D major, Hob.I:6 ‘Le matin’: 4. I. Adagio – Allegro/ 5. II. Adagio – Andante – Adagio/ 6. III. Menuet e Trio/ 7. IV. Finale: Allegro

Harpsichord Concerto in D major, Hob.XVIII:11: 8. I. Vivace/ 9. II. Un poco Adagio/ 10. III. Rondo all’Ungarese: Allegro assai/ Erin Helyard, harpsichord

Australian Haydn Ensemble
Skye McIntosh artistic director

ABC 4812 2806