Your favourite choral symphony

[bhodges]

I love the Mahler Eighth, and can't really explain why.  I wouldn't want to listen to it every day, but in live performance it is definitely an event.  Part of the thrill for me is even before it begins, just watching the stage filling up with people.  I am really looking forward to the Philadelphia Orchestra's performance about a year from now, especially after hearing Eschenbach and the group do the Second a few weeks ago. 

--Bruce

[Tsaraslondon]

I voted for Mahler 2, because I find the choral contribution more satisfying than in Beethoven's 9th. I sometimes feel that, if Beethoven hadn't been deaf, he wouldn'thave had the sopranos sing so high for so long. In some performances the strain really shows. That said, the purely instrumental slow movement is one of the most beautiful in all music.

[Sergeant Rock]

Mahler Symphony #8 E flat  "Symphony of a Thousand" and Havergal Brian Symphony #1 D minor "Gothic"


About Mahler 8: I'm puzzled by how little respect this symphony gets--even from the dedicated Mahlerites.

Sarge

[karlhenning]

Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms

(* pounds the table *)

[springrite]

Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms

(* pounds the table *)

In a poll of Los Angeles Philharmonic musicians, the work receiving the most votes (mentions) as favorite work happened to be Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms.

[bhodges]

In a poll of Los Angeles Philharmonic musicians, the work receiving the most votes (mentions) as favorite work happened to be Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms.

Well isn't that cool!  I would have expected something else to win...not sure what, but not the Stravinsky. 

--Bruce

[springrite]

Well isn't that cool!  I would have expected something else to win...not sure what, but not the Stravinsky. 

--Bruce

Another Stravinsky work, Rite of Spring, finished 3rd or 4th.

[not edward]

Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms

Ok, so why did I forget that one? It's my #1 choice by miles.

I'll also pre-empt Maciek by replacing my #2 choice with Szymanowski's orgiastic 3rd.

[Sergeant Rock]

In a poll of Los Angeles Philharmonic musicians, the work receiving the most votes (mentions) as favorite work happened to be Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms.

Probably because it's so short; they get to go home early, toke up, and watch the sunset from their beachfront properties 

Sarge

[BachQ]

Havergal Brian Symphony #1 D minor "Gothic"

Yes ........

[techniquest]

Mahler 2 - absolutely - no contest.
Then the 8.
Then Shostakovich 13, then Mahler 3, then LVB 9. I don't know the Brian 1 or 4 well enough yet for them to go on the faves list.

[Maciek]

Ok, so why did I forget that one? It's my #1 choice by miles.

I'll also pre-empt Maciek by replacing my #2 choice with Szymanowski's orgiastic 3rd.

Thanks, Edward. I felt I shouldn't be doing this on yet another thread or I'd put everyone to sleep with my monotony...

[Wendell_E]

In a poll of Los Angeles Philharmonic musicians, the work receiving the most votes (mentions) as favorite work happened to be Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms.

Probably because it's so short; they get to go home early, toke up, and watch the sunset from their beachfront properties 

Sarge

And, of course, since the score doesn't call for violins, violas, or clarinets, those players can go home before it even begins.   

[Sergeant Rock]

And, of course, since the score doesn't call for violins, violas, or clarinets, those players can go home before it even begins.   

Bingo!

Sarge

[from the new world]

Selected the Mahler 8th and Shosty 13th, in part as my favourite completely choral symphonies.

[Bunny]

Mahler Symphony #8 E flat  "Symphony of a Thousand" and Havergal Brian Symphony #1 D minor "Gothic"


About Mahler 8: I'm puzzled by how little respect this symphony gets--even from the dedicated Mahlerites.

Sarge

Mahler's 8th has always been something of a problem for me.  I know it's called a symphony, but for me it sounds more like an Oratorio, or even two oratorios cobbled together.  Das Lied, on the other hand, sounds more like a sung symphony.  I do love the 8th; I just feel the 2nd is a better symphony.

For Choral symphonies, I chose the Beethoven 9th and Mahler 2nd as much for the thematic program as the music, although the music of both can stand on its own merits.  I'm just surprised Kullervo didn't make it onto the list, too.

[PaulR]

Shostakovich 13th and 14th

[Lilas Pastia]

DSCH 14 is not a choral symphony, nor is Das Lied.

Of course the ones I put on the list are just a few among the many that could be included, but I doubted they would have garnered many votes. I preferred to let people go out and mention their favourites! My own indulgence was to nominate the Rachmaninov work, which few know 

Others not yet mentioned: DSCH 2 and 3, Hanson 7, Harris 4, Sauguet 2, Henze 7, Eisler, Bernstein 3, Danielpour 3 etc. etc.

[BachQ]

Others not yet mentioned: DSCH 2 and 3, Hanson 7, Harris 4, Sauguet 2, Henze 7, Eisler, Bernstein 3, Danielpour 3 etc. etc.

I refuse to believe that this thread has any weaknesses ....... whether in the OP or otherwise .........

[Christo]

A more accurate list imho would also include a.o.:

Brian, Gothic (no. 1) [probably my first choice, but only thanks to the three orchestral parts]
Holst, [`First] Choral Symphony (a second one never followed, due to his premature death)
Bliss, Morning Heroes
Rubbra, Sinfonia Sacra (no. 9)
Braga Santos, Symphonies 4 & 6
Guarnieri, Symphony 5
Santoro, Sinfonia Da Paz (no. 4)
Badings, Psalmensymfonie (no. 6)
Stravinsky, Symphonie de Psaumes [not really a symphony, of course]