Haydn - Complete Ouvertures

This album presents the complete overtures of Joseph Haydn, tracing the evolution of his dramatic and orchestral voice across four decades—from his early Acide (1762/63) to the monumental oratorios The Creation and The Seasons (1801). These 22 overtures form a musical biography that spans Haydn’s transition from Baroque roots to the brink of Romanticism.

Composed for the opulent court theatre of the Esterházy family at Eszterháza, many of these works served as introductions to Haydn’s operas and marionette plays. Rich in theatrical color, some overtures foreshadow Beethoven’s symphonic drama, while others use ‘Turkish’ percussion or unexpected harmonies to evoke exotic scenes and emotions.

The recording also includes overtures to large-scale oratorios like Il ritorno di Tobia and The Seven Last Words, as well as standalone symphonic introductions never directly linked to surviving operas.

Performed on period instruments by Haydn Sinfonietta Wien under Manfred Huss, this collection captures the full scope of Haydn’s stage music, from festive brilliance to spiritual depth. Many pieces are restored from Haydn’s original manuscripts, with special attention to authentic instrumentation and performance practice.