Masterworks with sustained intensity with no weaknesses or "rests"

[schweitzeralan]

This is a singular, personal judgement and assessment of just a very few works among the countless number of musical masterpieces composed over the centuries. This is a judgement category to be sure and is not a professional, academic assessment on my part as I never studied music professionally.. Over the decades I have listened to so many great musical compositions, as have so many of those who are involved in this forum. I just wanted to point out a few characteristic works which, again, in my personal view, exhibit a continuous stream of musical patterns, "images," "expressiveness," harmonic or thematic nuances which never let up, nor do certain works merely have "non-expressive" filters, bland passages which anticipate, or lead up to a major expression of tematic, harmonic, or rhythmic pulsation. What I'm hinting at is that I've heard works both "great," as well as "mediocre" which share many "intense" musical "moments." This is all too common but perhaps understandable and certainly does not belittle nor render any work insignificant. Many listeners will have their interpretations and comments.  I'm not just writing about my many "favorites." There are a very few works that involve my own intense involvement throughout that seem to transcend other favorites.  In short, every note counts as if it were self sustaining, again, "without break for examples."  Which ones?  For me there are the following of which I never tire nor put aside until much later, like next year.  Such works include the following:  "Die Gotterdammerung;" Debussy's "Le Martyr de Saint Sebastien;" Joseph Marx's "Herbsymphonie;" Gliere's 'Ilya Muromets;" Bloch's Concerto Symphonic;" Alexander Krein's "Piano Sonata"; the "Rach 3rd Concerto;" Frank Bridsge's "Enter Spring;" Carter's "Variations For Orchestra;" Scriabin/Nemptin "Mysterium." And a few others I'll refrain from mentioning.  Is there anyone out there who holds a similar view?

[The new erato]

Is there anyone out there who holds a similar view?

What view? My eyes went crosseyed after four lines with no line-break.

[Cato]

The one work which immediately comes to mind here, a take-no-prisoners, slam-you-against-the-wall experience which will kick and bum-slap your id into servile submission is...

Karl Amadeus Hartmann's Symphony #6!  

Be afraid!  Be very afraid!   0:)

[pjme]

In short, every note counts as if it were self sustaining, again,....

"without break for examples."  Which ones? 

For me there are the following of which I never tire nor put aside until much later, like next year. 
Such works include the following:  "Die Gotterdammerung;" Debussy's "Le Martyr de Saint Sebastien;" Joseph Marx's "Herbsymphonie;" Gliere's 'Ilya Muromets;" Bloch's Concerto Symphonic;" Alexander Krein's "Piano Sonata"; the "Rach 3rd Concerto;" Frank Bridsge's "Enter Spring;" Carter's "Variations For Orchestra;" Scriabin/Nemptin "Mysterium."

What odd examples!? No weakness in Le Martyre? Mysterium???Murometz??Bloch's Concerto Symphonique ?I'd consider none of these compositions ( except Enter Spring and the Carter Variations/ Wagner is definitely "hors concours") as totally representative of their composer's best abilities....

Maybe you should explain more...I'm confused. Hartmann's sixth I can understand. I was not afraid.
Peter

[DavidRoss]

every note counts as if it were self sustaining..."Die Gotterdammerung"

[jwinter]

That's what I thought.  I love Wagner, but any of his operas would be an awfully long stretch without a single weak or wasted note...

[nut-job]

Debussy's "Le Martyr de Saint Sebastien

Sure, if you count sustained tedium.   

[Brian]

Gliere's 'Ilya Muromets;"

You must have a really amazing recording of that piece.

[Kullervo]

Sibelius's 7th

[Cato]

The one work which immediately comes to mind here, a take-no-prisoners, slam-you-against-the-wall experience which will kick and bum-slap your id into servile submission is...

Karl Amadeus Hartmann's Symphony #6!  

Be afraid!  Be very afraid!   0:)

On the same level, but not as famous: Matthias Vermeulen's Symphony #2 and Charles Ives' Robert Browning Overture.

[Frumaster]

Prokofiev's 2nd Symphony...talk about (a)tonal overload!  Continually harsh bursts of energy.  It about drove me insane.  I'm not sure I made it through to the end on one listening, but maybe its the type of thing you're looking for.   

[schweitzeralan]

The one work which immediately comes to mind here, a take-no-prisoners, slam-you-against-the-wall experience which will kick and bum-slap your id into servile submission is...

Karl Amadeus Hartmann's Symphony #6!  

Be afraid!  Be very afraid!   0:)

I'll have to check that one out.

[schweitzeralan]

That's what I thought.  I love Wagner, but any of his operas would be an awfully long stretch without a single weak or wasted note...

Understand.  "gotterdammerung" is a remarkable exception.  Wagner was possessed by genius.

[schweitzeralan]

Sure, if you count sustained tedium.   

That's what I thought after one or two listenings.  I guess I simply like the style.

[schweitzeralan]

Sibelius's 7th

Definitely! I would also add "Tapiola"!

[schweitzeralan]

On the same level, but not as famous: Matthias Vermeulen's Symphony #2 and Charles Ives' Robert Browning Overture.

Not familiar with Vermeulen.  Alas.

[Cato]

Not familiar with vermeulen.  Alas.

Early 20th-century Dutch composer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthijs_Vermeulen

Unfortunately, not many CD's are available outside of expensive sets, according to Amazon at least.  One CD with the Second Symphony is nearly $100.   

[greg]

Prokofiev's 2nd Symphony...talk about (a)tonal overload!  Continually harsh bursts of energy.  It about drove me insane.  I'm not sure I made it through to the end on one listening, but maybe its the type of thing you're looking for.   

Have no balls, my friend?     

[CRCulver]

Vagn Holmboe's Symphony No. 8, most of Petterson's symphonies that I've heard, most of Magnus Lindberg's music during the 1990s, and my own personal favourite: Boulez's Incises.

[schweitzeralan]

Early 20th-century Dutch composer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthijs_Vermeulen

Unfortunately, not many CD's are available outside of expensive sets, according to Amazon at least.  One CD with the Second Symphony is nearly $100.   

Checked out the website.  Will look into.  According to what I read his works are well constructed, serious and somwhat  Modernist. I shall check out some of Vermeulan's symphonies.  Appreciate the reply.