by Jonathan Blumhofer Harry Christophers and the Handel & Haydn Society (H&H) continue their survey of Haydn symphonies with a new release pairing the E-flat-major Symphony no. 99 with the Mass no. 14 in B-flat major (Harmoniemesse). As usual, Christophers draws playing of elegance and character from his instrumental forces in the Symphony. The opening movement is, on the whole, graceful – even, at times, a bit balletic – its episodes of dotted rhythms always tautly played. Woodwind solos in the slow second movement are pristine: warm, pure-toned, and perfectly balanced. The third, if taken at a rather breathless tempo,…
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