The Naxos label's series of Haydn symphonies has been divided among several groups; the Sinfonia Finlandia under
Patrick Gallois has previously been heard on another set of early symphonies (Nos. 1 through 5). Though they have competition in the present set from the
Hanover Band, on historical instruments (the Sinfonia Finlandia is a compact modern-instrument group), the group offers crisp, full-blooded interpretations that show the connections between these works of the early 1760s and Haydn the master symphonist as he developed over the rest of his oeuvre of 107. In these four symphonies, among the least-often heard of the whole cycle, Haydn had not yet standardized the four-movement symphonic cycle; three of the works are in three movements, and the only four-movement work, the Symphony No. 11 in E flat major, is in the old slow-fast-slow-fast church sonata configuration. Even here, however, Haydn is expert at dismantling the listener's expectations; the opening slow movment, which in the classic church sonata would have had an abrupt, imposing rhythm, instead becomes a lengthy stretch of sheer melody miles removed from the form's Baroque antecedents. The finales are vigorous pieces that are shorter than but very much in the same mold as those of Haydn's late symphonies, and the Sinfonia Finlandia's brisk readings bring out their full vigor. This disc will likely find a place on many Haydn shelves simply because of the rarity of the repertoire, especially among listeners not enamored of the sound of historical instruments. The sound is first-rate (which hasn't always been true in this Naxos series), and any buyer exploring Haydn's symphonic career can feel confident with this release.