Aho symphony 15

[Guest]

Just listened to the premiere of Aho's symphony no.15.

I am afraid I am very disappointed.
IMO the orchestra played beautifully. The orchestration is certainly attractively done.

But a Symphony?
Where are the symphonic argument, the structure, the inevitability of its development, the inevitable and therefore unavoidable climaxes?

It goes on. And on. And on. And on. And on. Without giving a sense of direction.
Episode after episode after episode seemingly without internal cohesion.

I am afraid there are similarities with Hovhaness symphonic writing: beautifully done, but symphonies?

If this is a symphony of Finland’s leading symphonic composer, then may God help the rest.

Other opinions?

[Ferretfancy]

Roehre
I've only heard his Clarinet Concerto, which did not outstay its welcome, and struck me as a beautiful piece. Maybe the concerto form goes against prolixity.
I'm afraid there's rather a lot of contemporary music that stimulates my "so what?" response, but I still try new things when I can.
Rautavaara also strikes me in the way that you say, quite attractive but overextended.

[Mahlerei]

Must catch this on iPlayer later. I've got just about everything he's written and prolixity hasn't been a problem thus far.

[Roehre]

Must catch this on iPlayer later. I've got just about everything he's written and prolixity hasn't been a problem thus far.

Mahlerei, I would definitely appreciate your opinion.

[Sydney Grew]

. . . Where are the symphonic argument, the structure, the inevitability of its development, the inevitable and therefore unavoidable climaxes?

It goes on. And on. And on. And on. And on. Without giving a sense of direction.
Episode after episode after episode seemingly without internal cohesion. . . .

Interesting the way you put it. . . . I'll try to listen in.

[BBMmk2]

Will give a loisten I havnt much in the way of Aho, just one cd of his Tuba Concerto and Contrabassoon Concerto. Both very good.

[Suffolkcoastal]

But a Symphony?
Where are the symphonic argument, the structure, the inevitability of its development, the inevitable and therefore unavoidable climaxes?

It goes on. And on. And on. And on. And on. Without giving a sense of direction.
Episode after episode after episode seemingly without internal cohesion.

Other opinions?[/QUOTE]

Not every symphony ever written would necessarily fit your description of what a symphony should be Roehre, in fact there are many well known ones which wouldn't fit your description too. The symphony in the last 100 years in particluar has really become an encompassing term that can be applied to any largish chamber or orchestral work whether it be tautly argued or more a series of unrelated episodes.

[Roehre]

But a Symphony?
Where are the symphonic argument, the structure, the inevitability of its development, the inevitable and therefore unavoidable climaxes?

It goes on. And on. And on. And on. And on. Without giving a sense of direction.
Episode after episode after episode seemingly without internal cohesion.

Other opinions?

Not every symphony ever written would necessarily fit your description of what a symphony should be Roehre, in fact there are many well known ones which wouldn't fit your description too. The symphony in the last 100 years in particluar has really become an encompassing term that can be applied to any largish chamber or orchestral work whether it be tautly argued or more a series of unrelated episodes.[/QUOTE]

I agree fully with you. But a piece of this type of music, and especially when it's called "symphony" should give some sense of direction. To make things clear: I think Aho 15 is beautifully shaped music. But IMO it lacks an overall vision where the music is heading to, it lacks an overall structure and an harmonically logic development.