Is there a more epic and stunning first symphony than this one? Walton and Langaard are other superb examples, but at the moment I'm enjoying the thoroughly glorious Bloch, what a boisterous tour de force this is! And magical moments aplenty, music highly suggestive, lush and sumptuous, featuring some of the most cataclysmic climaxes in the music literature. I love this, the terrific blend between Strauss, Mahler and Respighi (mostly) and the Bloch's emergent voice is just astounding, a desert-island work for sure. I tend to prefer this version to that of Naxos, though.
The redemptive ending of that symphony is one of my favourites - I find it very moving. I wonder if you know Harold Truscott's Symphony Cesar? It ends in a similar way, although perhaps with a greater level of 'glowering darkness' rather than redemption. If you don't know it you might like it.
