Haydn, J.: 6 "Paris" Symphonies
Late in his career, Herbert von Karajan developed an interest in Haydn, a composer whose music he had virtually ignored. Actually, Karajan wasn't much of a Mozart conductor either; his interests began with Beethoven. And so when he conducted Haydn, he emphasized the connection with Beethoven, and it works very well. Beethoven owed a lot to his former teacher--more than he was willing to admit--and Karajan's interpretations are full of symphonic grandeur and performed with great enthusiasm. The music itself is glorious. Just listen to the trumpets and horns blaze out in the finale of Symphony No. 82, The Bear, and you'll be hooked.