Haydn's London Symphonies

This week's pick is a recording of Haydn's London symphonies.

During the course of 2009, orchestras across the world will be commemorating the 200th anniversary year of the death of Franz Joseph Haydn - and our CD of the Week features the music that made him the most famous and popular composer alive in the late 18th century.

His set of London symphonies, sometimes called the Salomon symphonies after the man who brought Haydn to London, were composed during a four-year period in the 1790s.  One set was written during Haydn's first visit to London; the other was composed in preparation for his second visit to the city.

Here, they are stylishly performed by the Orchestra of Italian Switzerland under conductor Howard Shelley.

2nd February 2009

• More Album Recommendations