HAYDN: Piano Variations

Album review

Naturally, no one should listen to the disc all the way through. These works are, after all, sets of variations and, as beautifully crafted and lovingly charming as they are, they do get a bit tiresome when played one after the other. But, taken one at a time with a pause in between, the works on this disc are as delightful, as elegant, and even as moving as any sets of variations ever written. And why not? These works were, after all, written by Haydn, easily one of the greatest composers since the Baroque, and each one is in its way a masterpiece. From the ineffably affecting piano arrangement of the variations on "Gott erhalte Franz der Kaiser" (God Save Franz the Emperor) -- the "Emperor's Hymn" from the "Emperor" Quartet -- to the unbearably hilarious variations on "Acht Sauschneider müssen sein" (It Takes Eight to Castrate a Boar) -- believe it or not, a popular tune of Haydn's time -- each work is well-worth hearing, albeit one at a time. In these finely polished and superbly played accounts by the unstoppable Hungarian pianist Jeno Jandó -- the player who's already recorded so much of the standard repertoire for Naxos -- each work has its own character, its own heart, and its own soul. For listeners who already know and love Haydn's Piano Sonatas, this disc will be a treat. For listeners who don't already know, Haydn's Piano Sonatas, try Jandó's recording -- they're every bit as good as this one -- then come back to this disc. Just remember to take them one at a time. Naxos' sound is natural enough but a bit recessed.

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