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Haydn’s eight Notturni were composed
in 1788-90 to fulfil a commission from King Ferdinand IV of Naples for
music featuring his favourite instrument, the lira organizzata. Haydn
rescored several of them for the famous Salomon concerts in London in
1791-92, replacing the lira parts with flute and oboe. These Notturni
are the work of a great composer at the height of his powers, and fully
justify Haydn’s faith in them. Derek Smith’s sensitive and inventive
reworking of this material for modern instruments is a welcome addition
to the chamber wind repertory.
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