The Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, conducted by Rachel Podger - CD Review, October 11th, 2024

Joseph Haydn - The first and fourth part of Symphony 43 in E flat major; Symphony 49 in F minor

On October 11^th, 2024, the latest album of violinist and conductor Rachel Podger, a British musician with extraordinary artistic experience, specialized in the baroque and classical repertoire, is released officially. Last year, Rachel Podger accepted the position of principal guest conductor of the Tafelmusik ensemble- a renowned baroque chamber orchestra in Toronto, founded 45 years ago, which plays historical instruments. As the new principal conductor, the musician gives three concerts during each season, goes on tours and recordsfor the Tafelmusik label. Thus, she also released this album which includes Symphonies 43 and 49 by Joseph Haydn. The musical pieces were recorded by the Tafelmusik orchestra during some of the performances in February 2023, on the Jeanne Lamon Hall stage of St. Paul's Centre in Toronto.

The Tafelmusik ensemble's interpretation distinguishes itself through elegance, precision, engaging contrapuntal dialogues, homogeneity and timbral brilliance.

Rachel Podger, aged 56, is the artistic director of the BreconBaroque Festival and a professor at the Royal Academy of Music in London and Royal Welsh College of Music. So far, she has conducted prestigious ensembles, such as The English Consort, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment or Arte dei Suonatori, displaying an extensive repertoire based on the works of the 17^th and 18^th centuries.