Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra
Catherine Manson: violin 1
Nicolas Mazzoleni: violin 1
Agnes Stradner Dubrovsky: violin 1
Stefano Rossi: violin 1
John Meyer: violin 1
David Rabinovich: violin 2
Marc Cooper: violin 2
Ann Roux Peikert: violin 2
Maite Larburu: violin 2
Sara Hubrich: viola   
Heather Birt: viola
Jonathan Manson: violoncello 
Lucy Scotchmer: violoncello
Michele Zeoli: double bass  
Antoine Torunczyk: oboe  
Michel Henry: oboe  
Wilbert Hazelzet: traverso   
Marion Moonen: traverso
Thomas Müller: horn   
Francois Mérand: horn
Stephen Keavy: trumpet   
David Hendry: trumpet
Wouter Verschuren: bassoon   
Monika Fischaleck: bassoon 
Johannes Terpstra: timpani   
Ton Koopman: conductor & harpsichord

"What is striking in the Symphonies 97 en 98 are the beautiful slow movements: Haydn again shows us that he is the master of our feelings. The menuets are catchingly dansant, the trios are refreshing. The first movements of these symphonies start with - as often is the case with Haydn- with a short, slow introduction and directly after that they burst into a fast tempo full of joyfulness and inventiveness. He makes simple themes develop into masterworks in an unsurpassed way. The closing movements, fast in character and starting off with only the strings, are astonishing because of their vitality and structure. Haydn is at his best in the 12 London Symphonies." - Ton Koopman in the linernotes

Symphonies 97 en 98 are the last of the first set of Haydn's London Symphonies, but still this cd is called vol.1, because the ABO is planning to record all the twelve symphonies, on authentic instrumentation.