CD:
AN IMAGINARY ORCHESTRAL JOURNEY | SIR SIMON RATTLE

Take a trip through the music of Haydn with Sir Simon Rattle and the London Symphony Orchestra.

Sir Simon Rattle pays homage to a composer he holds close to his heart with "An Imaginary Orchestral Journey" through the music of Joseph Haydn. Rattle trawls through the great composer’s impressive catalogue, piecing together excerpts from symphonies, oratorios and operas spanning a 40-year period in what the director describes as ‘a kind of greatest hits’ format.

‘The idea is to make a musical journey through all that is quirky and extraordinary, humorous and profound in Haydn,’ the LSO’s Music Director explains. Sir Simon’s focus is on Haydn as innovator, showcasing his most forward-looking and outlandish works in 50 minutes of uninterrupted performance.

What results from Sir Simon’s pasticcio is a clear image of the composer he sees to best represent the ideals of the Enlightenment, his selection meticulously arranged to best demonstrate Haydn’s intelligence, wit and thoughtfulness.

English title Haydn: An Imaginary Orchestral Journey
Recording location Barbican Hall, London
Recording date July 2017
Audio format Stereo & 5.1 multi-channel
Producer Andrew Cornall
Sound Engineer Classic Sound Ltd
Composer Franz Joseph Haydn
Conductor Sir Simon Rattle
Orchestra / Band London Symphony Orchestra