Top Ten Symphonies Revisited

[Serial_Apologist]

In no particular order, 'cos I love 'em all equally:

Dutilleux 1
Fricker 2
Gerhard 1
Honegger 4 (Deliciae Basiliensis)
Koechlin 2
Lutoslawsky 3
Mayuzumi Mandala Symphony
Stravinsky Symphony in Three Movements
Vaughan Williams 7
Zemlinsky Lyric Symphony

(God, that was hard!)

[Alf-Prufrock]

I have decided to put down the ten symphonies that I love above all - at least, at the moment of compiling! It is hard, because there are many symphonies I would happily listen to, and many of them are no doubt 'greater' than those in my list of ten!

Sibelius 6
Lloyd 6
Mahler 3
Nielsen Espansiva
Mozart 34
Stravinsky in Three Movements
Britten Spring
J.C. Bach opus 18 no 2
Dvorak 6
Harris 3
Haydn Hornsignal
Rubbra 5

- sorry, I've got to 12 already. Stop now, Alf! Yes, sir.

And there are others that I love that may be doubtful as real symphonies - Hely-Hutchinson's Carol, Panufnik's Sacra and Chavez's Sinfonia India among them. And look at all the great symphonies and symphonists I have left out! Oh, dear!

[Panjandrum]

It will be generally admitted that Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony is the most sublime noise that has ever penetrated into the ear of man, and yet not one person has voted it in their top ten. How is this?

[MrGongGong]

It will be generally admitted that Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony is the most sublime noise that has ever penetrated into the ear of man, and yet not one person has voted it in their top ten. How is this?

Because its not " the most sublime noise that has ever penetrated into the ear of man"
maybe ?

admitted by whom ?

[barber olly]

J.C. Bach opus 18 no 2 - ECO Hurwitz?
Dvorak 6 - LSO Kertesz

Yes

[barber olly]

It will be generally admitted that Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony is the most sublime noise that has ever penetrated into the ear of man, and yet not one person has voted it in their top ten. How is this?

No probably because many of us are p..d off by hearing the first movement on its own on Breakfast or EC. I really love the 3/4 movement repeats and bridges however. In order of preference of Beethoven Syms I go 3 6 7 2 8 1 4 5 9, 9 would be higher were it not for that choral finale, movt 3 is however sublime!

[Vile Consort]

1. Bruckner 8
2. Bruckner 7
3. Mahler 3
4. Nielsen 4
5. Nielsen 5
6. Shostakovich 4
7. Sibelius 5
8. Brahms 4
9. Simpson 9
10. Messiaen Turangalila

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

It will be generally admitted that Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony is the most sublime noise that has ever penetrated into the ear of man, and yet not one person has voted it in their top ten. How is this?

I think you'll find it here:-

01) Beethoven Symphony No 01
02) Beethoven Symphony No 02
03) Beethoven Symphony No 03 Eroica
04) Beethoven Symphony No 04
05) Beethoven Symphony No 05 Fate
06) Beethoven Symphony No 06 Pastoral
07) Beethoven Symphony No 07
08) Beethoven Symphony No 08
09) Beethoven Symphony No 09 Choral

10) Beethoven Symphony No 03 Eroica

Mario

[Mahlerei]

Good to see Kalinnikov's 2nd there (pabmusic) a recent discovery of mine. Hanson's 1st another find for me.

Always been amused by Forster's characterisation of Beethoven's Fifth. And isn't Leonard Bast's untimely end akin to Alkan's (allegedly)?

[BBMmk2]

What's the Kalininkov like, Mahlerie?

Here is mine in no particular order.

Mahler: Symphony No.2
Beethoven: Symphony no.5
Tchaikovsky Symphony No.5
Prokovief: Symphony no.2
Shostakovich Symphony No.5
Bruckner Symphony No.8
Elgar: Symphony No.2
Vaughan Williams: Symphopny no.5
Bax: Symhpony No.7
Sibelius Symphpny no.7

[barber olly]

What's the Kalininkov like, Mahlerie?

If you like the Russian five's music I guess you'll like Kalinnikov 1 & 2.

[Pabmusic]

What's the Kalininkov like, Mahlerie?

Both the symphonies combine Borodin and Tchaikovsky rather well, and they're very easy to digest. The real selling point, though, is that the inspiration never seems to flag. The first symphony contains one of the most (persistently) memorable themes imaginable. It's a repertoire piece among Russian orchestras, but more often played by youth orchestras or student orchestras in the West. It has a 'bring the house down' ending. Here's a taster: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcBlrAw8CaA

I personally prefer the Second Symphony, but I adore them both.

We have Rachmaninov to thank for bringing most of the music to public attention.

[antongould]

Restarting this thread is, very, very selfish - Kalininkov 1 and 2 downloading from emusic as I type!

[Petrushka]

I'm sure I must have contributed to the original thread but see my name isn't listed in Message 1 and a search for the original thread has proved unexpectedly difficult. Nevertheless, if I can offer my 10 now, impossible as it is:

Mahler 2
Bruckner 8
Shostakovich 5
Elgar 1
Mahler 8
Bruckner 7
Beethoven 9
Tchaikovsky 6
Bruckner 9
Tippett 4

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I hate these "list your seven favourite leaves-type "surveys", but, in the Christmas spirit, I'll have a go:

1) Beethoven
2) Haydn
3) Mozart
4) Bruckner
5) Mahler
6) Brahms
7) Sibelius
8) RVW
9) Simpson
10) Schumann

... plus individual works by Elgar, Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, Ives, Tip ... err, Sorry?




You did say Symphonists didn't you?!