The fourth volume in this series culminates in Haydn’s grandest symphonies, written during his second, triumphant visit to London. The works possess increased artistic weight and mark a transition from Viennese Classicism to Romanticism. In their profuse thematic writing, lyricism, wit and peasant-like evocations – some said to be rooted in Croatian melodies – they offer a kaleidoscopic tour-de-force of his symphonic genius at the zenith of his achievement. Once again, Adam Fischer and the Danish Chamber Orchestra employ the best technical performance practice in their recordings.

Previous volumes in this series were widely praised by critics. ‘All in all, this is a thoroughly enjoyable trio of mature Haydn symphonies’ (MusicWeb International on Vol.1, 8574516). Vol.2 is on 8574517 about which Gramophone wrote, ‘Fischer never misses a trick with Haydn’s theatrical contrasts. Time and again we sense the composer gleefully taking himself by surprise.’

Adam Fischer has conducted the Danish Chamber Orchestra for over two decades. In 2022 he was awarded with the International Classical Music Award for this lifetime achievements. He has received – amongst others – the renowned Wolf Prize of the Wolf Foundation in Jerusalem and the Gold Medal in the Arts of the Kennedy Center, Washington. He has been a member of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights for more than 20 years. Since 2016, he annually has awarded The Human Rights Award of the Tonhalle Düsseldorf.

Fischer has two major cycles recorded for Naxos – the first is the complete Beethoven symphonies on 8505251: ‘This extraordinary set of performances… I find these performances utterly fascinating… The recorded sound is excellent’ (Gramophone). The Brahms symphony cycle by Fischer and the Danish Chamber Orchestra can be heard on 857446567. ‘A new set, in excellent sound, of mature and deeply understanding character… almost too good a set of records to miss… The sound quality is equally fine and this set is self-evidently recommended’ (Musical Opinion).

The Hungarian-born conductor Adam Fischer graduated from the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Budapest and undertook further studies in Vienna. He is much in demand within both the opera and concert repertoire and has cooperated with a great number of leading international concert halls and opera houses, including the Vienna State Opera, La Scala and The Metropolitan Opera as well as such orchestras as the Wiener Philharmoniker, London Philharmonic Orchestra and Berliner Philharmoniker. Adam Fischer has been associated with the Danish Chamber Orchestra since 1997, serving as chief conductor from 1998, where he still is a major driving force and initiator both in Denmark and internationally.