Poll
Question:
What's your favorite?
Option 1: #1
votes: 2
Option 2: #2
votes: 3
Option 3: #3
votes: 3
Option 4: #4
votes: 3
Option 5: #5
votes: 3
Option 6: #6
votes: 5
Let's keep this Martinů trend going. ;D
Vote for one.
4 is too obvious. 2, 3 or 5... 2, 3 or 5... which to vote for :-\
Sarge
It may change in meantime, but currently my favorite is the No. 3. My general order would be like that:
3
4
5 and 1 - tie
6
2
3, followed very closely by 4. Then I'd say 1, 2, 5, 6
Never into #6 after all these years.
I'd try Munch in 6:
https://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/classical/products/8176244--piston-symphony-no-6-martinu-fantaisies-symphoniques
Or in the Sony Munch box.
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on November 09, 2017, 12:57:03 PM
4 is too obvious.
Sarge
Which is why I voted for it, I guess...probably also because it's the only one I've heard live.
I love all the symphonies, but I find 3, 4 and 6 slightly superior to 1, 2 and 5. Although 5 has the single greatest Martinu symphonic movement (the finale).
Great poll! 8) I voted for Symphony No. 3. I find this to be a disturbing work and it's darkly hued atmosphere appeals to me greatly. That Largo movement is a masterpiece within itself (I believe it's a reworking of the Largo movement of Piano Quintet No. 2). After the 3rd, my vote goes to the 4th, 6th, 2nd, 1st, and 5th (in that order).
Quote from: Mirror Image on November 09, 2017, 05:43:06 PM
Great poll! 8) I voted for Symphony No. 3. I find this to be a disturbing work and it's darkly hued atmosphere appeals to me greatly. That Largo movement is a masterpiece within itself (I believe it's a reworking of the Largo movement of Piano Quintet No. 2). After the 3rd, my vote goes to the 4th, 6th, 2nd, 1st, and 5th (in that order).
This is probably my list too although I'd reverse the order of 3 and 4.
Quote from: vandermolen on November 10, 2017, 05:55:20 AM
This is probably my list too although I'd reverse the order of 3 and 4.
I was initially going to vote for the 4th, but the 3rd has made quite the lasting impression on me lately. Truth be told, I love
ALL of Martinu's symphonies, but, since this poll calls for us to vote for only one favorite, I went with the 3rd.
"The last one I listened to"
today I would order them 1 2 3 5 4 6 but this is always subject to change.
The 3rd and 4th symphonies are tied up right now. That's not surprising. The 4th gets a lot of praise (and rightfully so) whereas the 3rd is the dark horse of the two.
Quote from: amw on November 10, 2017, 06:31:24 PM
"The last one I listened to"
:P Ain't that the truth! They're all so fantastic.
Quote from: Mirror Image on November 10, 2017, 06:21:22 PM
I was initially going to vote for the 4th, but the 3rd has made quite the lasting impression on me lately. Truth be told, I love ALL of Martinu's symphonies, but, since this poll calls for us to vote for only one favorite, I went with the 3rd.
I like all the symphonies as well.
Quote from: vandermolen on November 12, 2017, 01:21:04 PM
I like all the symphonies as well.
I wish there was a thumbs up emoticon here on GMG. Since there's not...
(http://d2trtkcohkrm90.cloudfront.net/images/emoji/apple/ios-10/256/reversed-thumbs-up-sign.png)
Quote from: SymphonicAddict on November 09, 2017, 01:52:28 PM
It may change in meantime, but currently my favorite is the No. 3. My general order would be like that:
3
4
5 and 1 - tie
6
2
I've really come around to the 2nd. I view it as a 'pastoral symphony' of sorts. It does, however, have a brooding undercurrent that makes me think it's more than Martinu in a lighter mood.
Quote from: Mirror Image on November 12, 2017, 01:38:48 PM
I've really come around to the 2nd. I view it as a 'pastoral symphony' of sorts. It does, however, have a brooding undercurrent that makes me think it's more than Martinu in a lighter mood.
Lately I've appreciated more the 6th. It's the more abstract and 'rarer' symphony by him, as it happens in Nielsen's 6th. The 2nd is rather calmed and happy, yet I find it less attractive, but it doesn't mean I don't like it. There is no any dull symphony that Martinu has written.
Quote from: SymphonicAddict on November 12, 2017, 07:49:43 PM
Lately I've appreciated more the 6th. It's the more abstract and 'rarer' symphony by him, as it happens in Nielsen's 6th. The 2nd is rather calm and happy, yet I find it less attractive, but it doesn't mean I don't like it. There is no any dull symphony that Martinu has written.
The 6th certainly is an ear-opening work. From on the onset, you're thrown into a hallucinogenic soundscape. It's like a drug-induced state of wonderment. The last movement of the 6th is one of Martinu's most astonishing orchestral creations IMHO. But, I agree with you, there's never a dull moment in these symphonies. I do ask if you'll give the 2nd another listen as I do find there to be much sadness in the second movement,
Andante moderato. Also, the 2nd, by direct comparison to the 6th, to make a contrast since you mentioned this symphony, is more subtle in it's musical expression.
Quote from: Mirror Image on November 12, 2017, 07:57:54 PM
The 6th certainly is an ear-opening work. From on the onset, you're thrown into a hallucinogenic soundscape. It's like a drug-induced state of wonderment. The last movement of the 6th is one of Martinu's most astonishing orchestral creations IMHO. But, I agree with you, there's never a dull moment in these symphonies. I do ask if you'll give the 2nd another listen as I do find there to be much sadness in the second movement, Andante moderato. Also, the 2nd, by direct comparison to the 6th, to make a contrast since you mentioned this symphony, is more subtle in it's musical expression.
Very much agree with you. No.6 is a magical work - I find it rather moving in places.
2 & 4
The only one I've never really understood was 1. Not sure I like 5 very much, but that is subject to change.
3 and 6 are great too, but I naturally gravitate towards the happier stuff.
Quote from: Brian on November 13, 2017, 12:25:38 PM
2 & 4
The only one I've never really understood was 1. Not sure I like 5 very much, but that is subject to change.
3 and 6 are great too, but I naturally gravitate towards the happier stuff.
Interesting. I don't find the 2nd to be 'happy' at all or at least not for the entire duration of the symphony. As I mentioned, I find there to be several tinges of melancholy, especially in the slow movement.
Quote from: Mirror Image on November 13, 2017, 12:30:51 PM
Interesting. I don't find the 2nd to be 'happy' at all or at least not for the entire duration of the symphony. As I mentioned, I find there to be several tinges of melancholy, especially in the slow movement.
Oh definitely, there are elements of melancholy to all the symphonies (and much of his work), and indeed No. 4 manages to hit just about every possible feeling. I didn't say they were uniformly one thing. But there's probably not a happier series of moments in his symphony cycle than the second half of No. 2.
This is an interesting, and unusual poll in that the votes are almost equally spread among the symphonies. I thought 4 would rule.
Sarge
Quote from: Brian on November 13, 2017, 12:39:45 PM
Oh definitely, there are elements of melancholy to all the symphonies (and much of his work), and indeed No. 4 manages to hit just about every possible feeling. I didn't say they were uniformly one thing. But there's probably not a happier series of moments in his symphony cycle than the second half of No. 2.
Oh yeah. Every symphony of Martinu brings me great joy irrelevant to the emotional temperature. ;)
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on November 13, 2017, 12:42:41 PM
This is an interesting, and unusual poll in that the votes are almost equally spread between works. I thought 4 would rule.
Sarge
Indeed and this speaks of the high consistency of the cycle as a whole.
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on November 13, 2017, 12:42:41 PM
This is an interesting, and unusual poll in that the votes are almost equally spread among the symphonies. I thought 4 would rule.
Granted it's a small sample of votes, but I'm surprised to see #6 with only one vote, as it has been a critical favorite among the symphonies for a long time.
My Martinu symphony pyramid as of now:
4
3, 6
1, 2, 5
Quote from: Mirror Image on November 13, 2017, 12:44:07 PM
Indeed and this speaks of the high consistency of the cycle as a whole.
Yes indeed.
Quote from: Mirror Image on November 13, 2017, 12:44:07 PM
Indeed and this speaks of the high consistency of the cycle as a whole.
Amen!
Sarge
Voted for No. 6, but as others have said, it's a good, consistent, cycle. As can be seen from the poll results..
Quote from: North Star on November 13, 2017, 01:51:44 PM
Voted for No. 6, but as others have said, it's a good, consistent, cycle. As can be seen from the poll results..
Love this symphony as well, but I love them all.
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on November 13, 2017, 12:53:00 PMMy Martinu symphony pyramid as of now:
4
3, 6
1, 2, 5
My arrangement is a see-saw
1 2 3 4 5
6
Subject to change, of course. :)
Quote from: Scarpia on November 13, 2017, 03:53:06 PM
My arrangement is a see-saw
1 2 3 4 5
6
Subject to change, of course. :)
Now, that's a formation that I can agree with!