The Romantics were uncomfortable with the music of Haydn. Their favoured nickname of "Papa Haydn" was an edgy compliment. While it acknowledged his historical importance, it also carried associations of the benign and fuddy-duddy, quite out of keeping with Haydn's vibrant music, as forward-looking as it was earthy.
The truth is that many 19th-century composers found little to identify with in Haydn's eminent common sense. And the older composer's efficient career and life management was a far cry from the tragically short glory of Mozart, who provided the Romantics with a more palatable soul model.
When we hear Haydn in the concert hall - a regrettably rare occurrence - one is invariably surprised by the passions and innovations this music contains. In fact, so many of Beethoven's advances were pre-empted by his teacher.
Thomas Fey and the Heidelberger Sinfoniker continue their exploration of Haydn's complete 104 symphonies with Volume 7 bringing together Nos 69, 86 and 87, leaving at least 20 more CDs in the wings to complete the series.
As one might expect from a conductor who studied with Nikolaus Harnoncourt and Leonard Bernstein, Fey combines a sensitivity to notions of authenticity with a dramatic and sometimes flamboyant overview of the music.
The Heidelberg musicians, playing a mix of original and modern instruments, are without peer, and a Hanssler recording, bright and spacious with just the right resonance, showcases them in Haydn's highly finessed orchestration.
We can enjoy some of the victories of Field Marshal Loudon in the brilliant fanfare writing of the outer movements of Symphony 69. Fey drives its Finale with the ruthlessness of a military campaign.
Symphony 86 moves from a swerving Vivace and a Capriccio that is measured yet unpredictable to a Minuet that is nudgingly serious and a romp of a Finale. Symphony 87 is the perfect partner, with another hyper-expressive Adagio, a Minuet with quite a sting in its backbeats, and a Finale with a dizzying energy that steals up when least expected. Surprises which are to be savoured.
* Haydn, Complete Symphonies Volume 7 (Hanssler 98.268, through Ode Records)
