The Most Underestimated Symphony

[Grazioso]

Bruckner's 5th.  Entirely deserving of the same praise as the 7th, 8th, 9th and 4th.

OK, not the most underestimated symphony, but it came to mind.

I agree with the others who saying early Dvorak.  Love his 4th symphony!

Where Bruckner is concerned, it seems like the 6th--a glorious work--gets shorter shrift than the 5th

[Christo]

... Dopper's 7th ... Bantock's Celtic and Hebridean symphonies ... Tubin's 4th ... Brian's 7th ... Enescu's symphonies ... Gerhard ... early Dvořák ... Atterberg and Holmboe ...

As so often, I'm in complete agreement! Yet I don't think Dopper's Seventh is in the same league as Tubin, Brian or Holmboe - three favourites. But great to read all those names and to know there are Highly Esteemed Listeners who care about them ... 

[Daverz]

Magnard 3
Vorisek
Braga Santos 4
Gade 1
Atterberg 3

[Bulldog]

Hans Huber's Sym. 1: excellent mix of powerful and heartfelt passages, great melodies and admirable cohesion.

[Superhorn]

  Another wonderful but sadly neglected symphony is the single one by Paul Dukas.
  There's more to this French composer than the Sorcerer's apprentice,but unfortunately not much,because he was so self-critical that he destroyed most of his music.
  The symphony in C major is a three movement work, and filled with wonderful melodic ideas.  When you hear it wou will wonder where it's been all your life.
  The outer movements are highly energetic and optimistic,and the slow movement is filled with melancholy,but with a brighter middle section. 
   The symphony has been recorded a number of times, by such conductors as Jean Martinon on EMI ( a classic recording) Jean Fournet and Yan-Pascal Tortelier,among others. I got to know it in the 70s from a long out of print Decca recording with Walter Weller and the LPO which is long overdue for being reissued on CD.
Don't hesitate to look for a recording of this wonderful symphony, one of the finest by a French composer.

[Gabriel]

Now, writing about French composers, the four symphonies by Étienne-Nicolas Méhul spring to mind. Some of the finest of the Classical era and, unfortunately, seldom played or recorded.

[knight66]

On the basis of remarks here and then a listen on Youtube, I have ordered the Pettersson No 7, sounds remarkable, brooding and consolatory by turns.

Mike

[MDL]

On the basis of remarks here and then a listen on Youtube, I have ordered the Pettersson No 7, sounds remarkable, brooding and consolatory by turns.

Mike

It's an amazing piece, superior to anything else I've heard of Pettersson's work; although to be fair, I've only heard about six of the symphonies, and there may be some gems I've not heard yet.

Be warned it's a real downer; you'll be digging out your Mahler 9 for a bit of light relief afterwards.

[knight66]

Heck....well, I cannot say that I have not been warned. But, it did sound like my kind of piece.

Mike

[Grazioso]

Be warned it's a real downer; you'll be digging out your Mahler 9 for a bit of light relief afterwards.

Pettersson makes Shostakovich sound like Mr. Rogers. The former's music isn't leavened (undermined?) by irony or black humor, but is deadly serious and intensely personal. It's not all darkest gloom, though: the 7th, for example, has its moments of great, luminous beauty and it ends, to my ears, more in philosophical resignation than in despair. Btw, Knight, if you like the 7th, try the 8th next, for something rather along the same lines. Of the two recordings I have, I prefer Segerstam on BIS over the CPO disc.

[jowcol]

I'd say Moeran's (only) Symphony  does not get nearly the love it deserves-- at least outside of GMG.

It's Funny,  for Atterberg the 5th is still my fave-- there is something in the middle movement that that just knocks me over every time.  3, 6, 7 and 8  are all great.

Hanson's 4th is one that doesn't get the recognition it deserves, IMO. 


Also second the recommendation for Pettersson's 8th-- I have grown to like that one most of his symphonies.

Also have to chime in on Braga Santos's 4th.

[Lethevich]

This is the problem I have with Atterberg. He's great, but people in this thread have so far suggested 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (is the 9th that bad ), which is damn near the entire cycle rather than a single "this screams to be chosen" work.

[Sergeant Rock]

Magnard 3

Since Magnard's Third is his symphony that's most often cited as a favorite or best, I submit it should not be in this thread as "underestimated." Instead, I think his true underappreciated masterwork is the Fourth. (That it also happens to be my favorite of the four is neither here nor there...just a coincidence...really )

Sarge

[The new erato]

Also second the recommendation for Pettersson's 8th-- I have grown to like that one most of his symphonies.

Been there, done that. I started by being bowled over by the 7th (Dorati), then, when I had recovered, it was time for the 8th being the favorite (Commissiona). After recovering from that, I think the 6th became my favorite (Kamu/Sony as well as Trojahn/cpo). I'm currently feeling that maybe the 9th are the most compelling (but even more demanding listening than those cited). Every decade I seem to move on to another favorite, these works takes time to absorb.

But above all, we need all of those older recordings on CD!

[jowcol]

This is the problem I have with Atterberg. He's great, but people in this thread have so far suggested 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (is the 9th that bad ), which is damn near the entire cycle rather than a single "this screams to be chosen" work.

As problems go, having too much good material to choose from is a great one to have, but I'd agree it doesn't fit this thread as well.

[greg]

This is the problem I have with Atterberg. He's great, but people in this thread have so far suggested 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (is the 9th that bad ), which is damn near the entire cycle rather than a single "this screams to be chosen" work.

Fine, then...
I'll scream it.


2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

... and 3. 

...and...

[cliftwood]

Two of the finest, almost never programmed.

Wm.Schuman 3rd Symphony

Hindemith Symphony in E Flat

Can't understand the obscurity.

[listener]

If I'm remembering correctly, a performance of the SIBELIUS 4th Symphony a couple of years ago by either Toronto or Montreal S.O. was the first ever in Canada.   Certainly held in high esteem by thread members, but elsewhere almost always eschewed.   Even 3, 6 & 7 get more performances.

[The new erato]

I am constantly tempted to throw the Korngold F minor into the fray!

[Brian]

This is the problem I have with Atterberg. He's great, but people in this thread have so far suggested 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (is the 9th that bad ), which is damn near the entire cycle rather than a single "this screams to be chosen" work.

I would venture to say that Atterberg is one of the most underestimated symphonists! (His non-symphonies haven't grabbed me as much, so far.) I haven't heard 2 in a couple years - sorry, Greg - but would definitely second the votes for 3 and especially 8.

EDIT: Wrote symphonies instead of symphonists. Whoops