Haydn and his English Friends

Much of the music which Haydn wrote for his two visits to London in 1791/92 and 1794/95 is extremely well known today. The twelve 'London' symphonies are at the core of the orchestral repertory, and the string quartets Opp. 71 and 74 occupy a similar position in the chamber-music repertory. Yet there is one group of London works that is still virtually unknown: the six English psalm settings Haydn wrote in 1794 for Improved Psalmody, a collection of parish church music published shortly after by the Rev William Dechair Tattershall (1752-1829). This recording brings together the first recording of Haydn's English psalms with music by his circle of friends and admirers in England; it throws unexpected light on Haydn's profound influence on English music.

CDA67150  67 minutes 50 seconds
‘A fascinating collection … wonderfully atmospheric’ (Gramophone)
‘Music both major and relatively elementary, but all of it has charm’ (Fanfare, USA)
‘An issue of great historical interest … performances (lovely solo and choral singing) are excellent: so is Peter Holman's scholarship’ (MusicWeb International)