Greatest 20th Century Symphonies

[schweitzeralan]

Hartmann's entire output, but especially the Sixth Symphony.

Ives Symphony #4.

Mahler's Symphonies 5-10.

Martinu's entire output, but especially the Fifth Symphony.

Prokofiev's Symphonies 2,3, and 6.

Shostakovich's Tenth Symphony

Zemlinsky's Lyric Symphony.

Khachaturian's 2nd Symphony is right up there.

[Benji]

Khachaturian's 2nd Symphony is right up there.

I think it's alright, certainly wouldn't say great, but FWIW a lot of critics don't seem to like it at all.

[schweitzeralan]

I think it's alright, certainly wouldn't say great, but FWIW a lot of critics don't seem to like it at all.

Understood.  So many listeners, professionals and lay listeners alike, vary in their opinions. I recognize so many of the 'great ones," Bach, Haydn, Handel, Vivaldi, et. al. Yet appreciate none of the early Western giants (and midgets alike).  I can feel passionate about major and near major composers of the 20th century. I know not why.  Just personal, I assume.  Asi es la vida.

[vandermolen]

Khachaturian's 2nd Symphony is right up there.

I think it's great too 

[offbeat]

Only just noticed this thread - i have great trouble in defining greatest as opposed to favourite in fact dont think i can define greatest so will do favourite instead
Shostakovich Symphony 8 - my favourite symphony of all i think because of the atmosphere
Vaughan Williams Symphony 5 - i find if virtually impossible to split his 3 4 5 6 all totally different but 5 is so beautiful it wins in a photo finish 
Sibelius Symphony 4 - like being lost in a cocoon of shadows - mood music supreme......

[Timmyb]

I'm unfamiliar with huge swathes of 20th century music so I only really know the works of the most famous composers.From the symphonies I know well I would choose these.I've no idea how great they are, I just know that I like them.
Sibelius no 2, 4 & 5
Prokofiev no 5
Shostakovich no 8 & 11
R Strauss - An Alpine Symphony (not sure if it's a symphony or not)
Rachmaninov no 2
Nielson no 2 & 3
Mahler no 5 & 9
Elgar no 2
Vaughan Williams no 7

[Lilas Pastia]

Only just noticed this thread - i have great trouble in defining greatest as opposed to favourite in fact dont think i can define greatest so will do favourite instead
Shostakovich Symphony 8 - my favourite symphony of all i think because of the atmosphere
Vaughan Williams Symphony 5 - i find if virtually impossible to split his 3 4 5 6 all totally different but 5 is so beautiful it wins in a photo finish 
Sibelius Symphony 4 - like being lost in a cocoon of shadows - mood music supreme......

What a beautiful, meaningful and representative selection, offbeat ! I may preffer individual works here and there, but when  it's all said and done, the combination of these three masterpieces seems to summarize the whole century's 'splintered' approach to classical music. Splendid!

[karlhenning]

Only just noticed this thread - i have great trouble in defining greatest as opposed to favourite . . . .

Well, with mention of any symphony by Khatchaturian, we may consider the horse out of that barn . . . .

[karlhenning]

Shostakovich Symphony 8 - my favourite symphony of all i think because of the atmosphere
Vaughan Williams Symphony 5 - i find if virtually impossible to split his 3 4 5 6 all totally different but 5 is so beautiful it wins in a photo finish 
Sibelius Symphony 4 - like being lost in a cocoon of shadows - mood music supreme......

What a beautiful, meaningful and representative selection, offbeat ! I may preffer individual works here and there, but when  it's all said and done, the combination of these three masterpieces seems to summarize the whole century's 'splintered' approach to classical music. Splendid!

Hear, hear;  lovely selection.  And three genuinely great works.

[schweitzeralan]

As almost always with such lists, it's more a list of favorites as opposed to greatest per se, at least for me.  Below are some I rather fancy.  There are quite a few, as it turns out.  They're in no particular order.

Hartmann – 4-8
Mahler – 6, 7, & 9 definitely, and probably 5 & 8
Szymanowski – 3, 4
Nielsen – 4, 5, 6
Zemlinsky – Lyric Symphony
Sibelius – 5, 6, & 7 definitely, and almost certainly 2, 3, & 4
Rautavaara – 3, 7, 8
Prokofiev – 5, 6
Ives - 2
Martinu – All
Shostakovich – 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15
Honegger – 3
Carter – Symphonia
Vaughn Williams – 3, 4, 5
Messiaen – Turangalila Symphonie
Enescu – 3 definitely, possibly 2
Stravinsky – Symphony in Three Movements
Lutoslawski – 3 & 4

I'm in the midst of exploring Tubin's symphonic output, and it's extremely good.  I need some more time with all of the works before deciding for myself how relatively good or great they are.

I've been listening to Szmanowski's works for several years.  I'm appreciative of many works by this significant composer.  There  are many forum postings on Szymanowski, including my own.  I just listened to his 2nd Symphony.  I love that first movement.  To be sure, there are some Straussian momens, but the first movement is most special, at least To me. This first movement has become quite special.  I ask myself why is this this particular segment so intense.  Just curious. 

[jowcol]

I think it's great too 

Count me in.  It may not be the most subtle, but it's a lot of fun.

[schweitzeralan]

What a beautiful, meaningful and representative selection, offbeat ! I may preffer individual works here and there, but when  it's all said and done, the combination of these three masterpieces seems to summarize the whole century's 'splintered' approach to classical music. Splendid!


Hear, hear;  lovely selection.  And three genuinely great works.

I personally support so many of the postings on this particular thread.  I just wanted to include my profound sentiments in regards to the Sibelian symphonies, in particular the splended 4th.  Magnificent work.

[vandermolen]

Count me in.  It may not be the most subtle, but it's a lot of fun.

Very true and great slow movement with relentless use of Dies Irae theme + tragedy turning to triumph conclusion always appeals to me, as with Shostakovich Symphony 11. Timmyb's choice of Vaughan Williams' 7th Symphony is an interesting one, as most would choose 3-6. I recall that the Haitink recording tended to change some people's view of the Antartica Symphony, seeing it as less of a programme work, cobbled together from film music, and more of a genuine symphony in its own right. I realise that the Haitink cycle is not generally well regarded here.

[oabmarcus]

Mahler's 9th, all of prokofiev and shostakovich's symphonies.

[schweitzeralan]

Only just noticed this thread - i have great trouble in defining greatest as opposed to favourite in fact dont think i can define greatest so will do favourite instead
Shostakovich Symphony 8 - my favourite symphony of all i think because of the atmosphere
Vaughan Williams Symphony 5 - i find if virtually impossible to split his 3 4 5 6 all totally different but 5 is so beautiful it wins in a photo finish 
Sibelius Symphony 4 - like being lost in a cocoon of shadows - mood music supreme......

Good point presented in terms of that which is 'greatest' as perhaps distinguished from a listener's adjudication of a particular work due to personal preferences in terms of style, harmonics, rhythm, etc. This may be true in part to my own intense appreciation of Joseph Marx's "Autumn Symphony." I've discussed his works previously on this forum.  I truly think it is a symphonic masterpiece.  Moreover, I do like the "style," the musical "language" I was most pleased to receive a recording of the work courtesy of the Marx Society. Strauss of course is much better known and recognized.  But Marx is a convincing musical voice.

[vandermolen]

I increasingly like Bloch's early Symphony in C sharp minor, which only just comes into the 20th century. Maybe the influence of Mahler and R Strauss are not assimilated but there are fascinating echoes of Bloch's later style and the redemptive/valedictory ending is terrific.

[Sergeant Rock]

Very true and great slow movement with relentless use of Dies Irae theme + tragedy turning to triumph conclusion always appeals to me...

Do you have a CD recommendation, Jeffery? The Melodiya recording with Khachaturian conducting his Second is being released next month according to JPC.

Sarge

[Scarpia]

Do you have a CD recommendation, Jeffery? The Melodiya recording with Khachaturian conducting his Second is being released next month according to JPC.

Sarge

For Kha conducting Kha, what could supercede these?

[Sergeant Rock]

For Kha conducting Kha, what could supercede these?

Perhaps the Melodiya recording (with the USSR State SO). Soviet music played by a Soviet orchestra is always interesting. But I don't know. I was hoping someone had heard both versions.

Sarge

[Scarpia]

Perhaps the Melodiya recording (with the USSR State SO). Soviet music played by a Soviet orchestra is always interesting. But I don't know. I was hoping someone had heard both versions.

Sarge

Not a big fan of Khachaturian, so having even one seems like a luxury.