Symphonies Vol 21 Nos 66-67 & 68
Béla Drahos came out of nowhere to recordan excellent seriesof the Beethoven symphonies for Naxos. He has done a few of Naxos'sHaydn volumes, too. This latest disc includes three superb, little-known works of Haydn in sparkling versions that will certainly win friends for the music. Haydn's imagination and technique are obvious everywhere in these pieces, and the clarity and lift of the playing bring every moment to life. You can tell that each musician is enjoying the participation in these performances, and when there is a special bit of fun--such as the hurdy-gurdy episode in the Minuet of No. 67--it comes off superbly. With 76 minutes of music on the well-recorded disc, it would be a worthwhile acquisition at full price.--Leslie Gerber