Exploring Haydn: A Listener's Guide to Music's Boldest Innovator (w/Two Full-length Naxos CDs).(Book review)

[website] Exploring Haydn: A Listener's Guide to Music's Boldest Innovator (w/Two Full-length Naxos CDs), by David Hurwitz. Amadeus Press, LLC (512 Newark Pompton Plains Tke., Pompton Plains, NJ 07444), 2005. 256 pp. $27.95.

Exploring Haydn: A Listener's Guide to Music's Boldest Innovator elicits reading, and the musical examples contained on the two accompaniment CDs eloquently illustrate Haydn's creativity.

In the first part, "Extraordinary Musician, Ordinary Man," author David Hurwitz illustrates Haydn's compositional method using a relatively obscure symphony--No. 90, in C Major, CD 1--as an example of formal organization. Hurwitz suggests listening to the seven-minute movement in its entirety, then listening again as you read the commentary, and the world of composition--according to Haydn, including his sense of humor--will be revealed to you.

Beginning with the first four tracks on the first CD, the glorious complete symphony--G Major, No. 88, with listening guide--is included. Part two, "Movement Types in Haydn's Instrumental Works," explores the various movements found in Haydn's large form compositions, always with examples that are easy to understand. Of special note is his fine exploration of the opening largo from " The Creation." Of course Hurwitz discusses the slow movement of the ever-popular "Surprise" Symphony, No. 94.

Included also is the strange and affecting E-minor movement from the Trio in E Major, a work I have performed with utter amazement at the richness and daring of Haydn's imagination. The third movements include the delightful Menuetto: Presto from the ...