Concentus Musicus Wien farewell the Brahmsaal

Joseph Haydn
Symphony No. 59 in A Major "Fire"
Piano Concerto in D
Violin Concerto in C
Symphony No. 45 in F sharp minor "Farewell"

Concentus Musicus Wien
Erich Hobarth, violin
Stefan Gottfried, piano

Musikverein Brahmsaal, Vienna, 28 May 2017.
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On the strength of this concert Concentus Musicus Wien remains in rude health, despite the absence of its legendary late music director Nikolaus Harnoncourt.  Its harpsichordist Stefan Gottfried is the current music director and the ensemble has great quality across the board.

This was well illustrated by the superb musicianship of both Mr Gottfried and Erich Hobarth, who stepped up from the ensemble to give their accounts of two well known Haydn concerti. Impeccable, expressive and (as one might expect) beautifully in-tune to the orchestra around them. 

The musical highlight was the Fire Symphony, surely one of Haydn's best.  Concentus Music attacked from the word go, the period strings' gutsy tone added to the taut drama as did the horns terse interjections.  The flow and fun of the finale was quite ideal.  Irresistable.

The Brahmsaal, Musikverein

For the final work, the Haydn Farewell Symphony was given. At the famous premiere, Haydn's Esterhazy orchestra each walked off stage as they concluded their parts in a protest at how long they were being kept from their families.  This bit of theatre was here repeated.

Before the performance, Mr Gottfried spoke.  Concentus Musicus had long felt that it should again be performing in the Great "Golden" Hall of the Musikverein.  Its next season would again be in the Goldener Saal, so here was their farewell to the more intimate Brahmsaal.  On the strength of this performance, richly deserved.

The Musikverein facade, Vienna