Davis’s breezy performance has excellent soloists... The original records date from 1968, and feature some elegant playing from Maurits Sillem, who uses a fortepiano for the recitatives. The whole is very English-sounding (and not just the words), but in defence of this approach it might be said that The Seasons was adapted by Haydn’s friend and patron, Baron van Swieten, from Thomson’s celebrated poem. There is outstanding recitative singing at the outset of Summer from Ryland Davies, and the horn solo by Alan Civil (not named) in No. 10 is superb. A very successful set, and many will prefer the English text and the lighter approach.

-- H.C. Robbins Landon, BBC Music Magazine