Six favourite symphonies by (really) lesser-known composers.

[springrite]

Schnabel Symphony #2
Irving Fine Symphony 1962
Norman dello Joio St. Joan Symphony
Van Gilse Symphony #3
Ludolf Nielsen Symphony #3
Bernard Hermann Symphony

[kyjo]

A new list for 2025! Just five for now, might add another later:


Sadao Bekku (1922-2012): Symphony No. 1 (1961):



https://youtu.be/KuOCRfDpYTA?si=OpcvGX_AWx-GQJCZ

I'm not quite sure why this release, one of the undoubted highlights of Naxos' Japanese Classics series, is so difficult to find in the US (and probably anywhere outside Japan). Very frustrating! Fortunately, both symphonies can be found on YouTube. Anyways, Bekku takes Prokofiev and Shostakovich as his stylistic departure point for this work, which contains some subtle Japanese colorings here and there. The finale is particularly exciting and catchy!
 

Václav Dobiáš (1909-1978): Symphony No. 2 (1956-57):



https://youtu.be/Lo___DQfAik?si=ZqNRSrZxTvX_gcj2

A powerful, intense, big-boned work, imaginatively orchestrated with hardly a dull moment throughout its 50-minute duration. Rather like the Bekku symphony above, there are occasional echoes of Prokofiev and Shostakovich, but overall this symphony has its own unique personality. The only recording available, with the Czech Philharmonic under Ančerl on Supraphon, is fortunately an excellent one. Cesar, Jeffrey - do either of you know this work? I feel like it would be right up both of your alleys!


Wilfred Josephs (1927-1997): Symphony No. 5 "Pastoral" (1970-71)



https://youtu.be/xFMXY4_tyn4?si=P5oAIZbQUGtVfENH

A wonderfully atmospheric and not at all hackneyed work which somehow avoids to sound like any member of the "English Pastoral" school, while remaining thoroughly accessible. An Amazon reviewer claims that Josephs is a far better composer than Alwyn or Rubbra - a bold statement, considering how little of his music is recorded! I really hope that a record label takes interest in his substantial symphonic cycle of 12 works in the form.


Franciszek Mirecki (1791-1862): Symphony in C minor (1859):



https://youtu.be/7l6thV7fWDo?si=JkjAPm3JAvltMa_p

Amongst mid-19th century symphonies, this one surely stands out, despite the fact that its composer is barely known. Sure, there are momentary echoes of Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, and even Italian opera, but they are short-lived - Mirecki is very much his own man. He has a particularly unique and engrossing approach to orchestration - surely this must be one of the first symphonies ever written to have prominent roles for the string section principals! Really fascinating stuff.


Wilhelm Petersen (1890-1957): Symphony No. 3 in C-sharp minor (1934):



https://youtu.be/M_-3_LJLnuY?si=r8j_UmSFwYHvt5ke

An hour-long, glowingly late-romantic symphony by this prolific yet forgotten German. One can think of Bruckner with less extreme dynamic contrasts and "religious" overtones, or Mahler minus the neurosis, with occasional references to both composers' more "pastoral" moments. Despite its length, it held my attention throughout and there's an unforced naturalness about Petersen's symphonic writing. I would very much like to hear more of his work!

[Cato]

A new list for 2025! Just five for now, might add another later:


Sadao Bekku (1922-2012): Symphony No. 1 (1961):



https://youtu.be/KuOCRfDpYTA?si=OpcvGX_AWx-GQJCZ

I'm not quite sure why this release, one of the undoubted highlights of Naxos' Japanese Classics series, is so difficult to find in the US (and probably anywhere outside Japan). Very frustrating! Fortunately, both symphonies can be found on YouTube. Anyways, Bekku takes Prokofiev and Shostakovich as his stylistic departure point for this work, which contains some subtle Japanese colorings here and there. The finale is particularly exciting and catchy!
 

Václav Dobiáš (1909-1978): Symphony No. 2 (1956-57):



https://youtu.be/Lo___DQfAik?si=ZqNRSrZxTvX_gcj2

A powerful, intense, big-boned work, imaginatively orchestrated with hardly a dull moment throughout its 50-minute duration. Rather like the Bekku symphony above, there are occasional echoes of Prokofiev and Shostakovich, but overall this symphony has its own unique personality. The only recording available, with the Czech Philharmonic under Ančerl on Supraphon, is fortunately an excellent one. Cesar, Jeffrey - do either of you know this work? I feel like it would be right up both of your alleys!


Wilfred Josephs (1927-1997): Symphony No. 5 "Pastoral" (1970-71)



https://youtu.be/xFMXY4_tyn4?si=P5oAIZbQUGtVfENH

A wonderfully atmospheric and not at all hackneyed work which somehow avoids to sound like any member of the "English Pastoral" school, while remaining thoroughly accessible. An Amazon reviewer claims that Josephs is a far better composer than Alwyn or Rubbra - a bold statement, considering how little of his music is recorded! I really hope that a record label takes interest in his substantial symphonic cycle of 12 works in the form.


Franciszek Mirecki (1791-1862): Symphony in C minor (1859):



https://youtu.be/7l6thV7fWDo?si=JkjAPm3JAvltMa_p

Amongst mid-19th century symphonies, this one surely stands out, despite the fact that its composer is barely known. Sure, there are momentary echoes of Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, and even Italian opera, but they are short-lived - Mirecki is very much his own man. He has a particularly unique and engrossing approach to orchestration - surely this must be one of the first symphonies ever written to have prominent roles for the string section principals! Really fascinating stuff.


Wilhelm Petersen (1890-1957): Symphony No. 3 in C-sharp minor (1934):



https://youtu.be/M_-3_LJLnuY?si=r8j_UmSFwYHvt5ke

An hour-long, glowingly late-romantic symphony by this prolific yet forgotten German. One can think of Bruckner with less extreme dynamic contrasts and "religious" overtones, or Mahler minus the neurosis, with occasional references to both composers' more "pastoral" moments. Despite its length, it held my attention throughout and there's an unforced naturalness about Petersen's symphonic writing. I would very much like to hear more of his work!

WOW!  Many thanks for the reviews/recommendations!

Concerning Václav Dobiáš:

[André]

Schnabel Symphony #2
Irving Fine Symphony 1962
Norman dello Joio St. Joan Symphony
Van Gilse Symphony #3
Ludolf Nielsen Symphony #3
Bernard Hermann Symphony

YES to the Irving Fine and Bernard Herrmann symphonies ! Van Gilse and Dello Joiao's are fine opuses too.

I'll take your advice about Schnabel's: I love his chamber music.

[Symphonic Addict]

Václav Dobiáš (1909-1978): Symphony No. 2 (1956-57):



https://youtu.be/Lo___DQfAik?si=ZqNRSrZxTvX_gcj2

A powerful, intense, big-boned work, imaginatively orchestrated with hardly a dull moment throughout its 50-minute duration. Rather like the Bekku symphony above, there are occasional echoes of Prokofiev and Shostakovich, but overall this symphony has its own unique personality. The only recording available, with the Czech Philharmonic under Ančerl on Supraphon, is fortunately an excellent one. Cesar, Jeffrey - do either of you know this work? I feel like it would be right up both of your alleys!

You're prompting me to post some arresting symphonic revelations too, Kyle. I do know that Dobias symphony, it's been long time and I remember being as impressed as you.