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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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