The Most Underestimated Symphony

[Ric]

I love Kalinnikov's first symphony. This work is so expressive.

[Grazioso]

I love Kalinnikov's first symphony. This work is so expressive.

Ditto that. One of the great symphonic slow movements.

[greg]

If pushed, I'd probably nominate Schmidt's Fourth, even if emotionally speaking it makes Pettersson seem like a stroll in the park.

Well, that got me curious. Found this interview on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TekW2gaUPn4

The Dallas Sym director talks about this symphony, and he's actually really interesting to listen to.

[vandermolen]

Nice thread. Agree with Christo and Jowcol's choices (Moeran, Braga Santos, Armstrong Gibbs etc). Also,

Lilburn Symphony No 1 (on Naxos)

Hanson Symphony 6

Popov Symphony 1 and 2

Arnold Symphony 6

Bax no 3 yes,yes,yes

Rubbra 4 and 5 and 7

Hurum Symphony/ Kleiberg'Bell Reef Symphony' (thank you Greg  )

Bantock Celtic Symphony

Brian No 8

Kinsella No 3

Tubin No 2 and 4

Rootham Symphony

Alwyn No 2

Truscott Symphony

Miaskovsky symphonies 3,6, 16,17,27

[schweitzeralan]

Ten beautiful, not widely known (perhaps even underestimated, who can tell?) symphonies that I happen to love - and you might not know yet :

Matthijs Vermeulen - Symphony No. 2 `Prélude à la nouvelle journée' (1919)
Léon Orthel – Symphony No. 2 `Piccola Sinfonia' (1940)
Eugene Goossens – Symphony No. 1 (1940)
Ludvig Irgens Jensen – Sinfonia in Re (1943)
Cecil Armstrong Gibbs – Symphony No. 3 `Westmorland' *) (1944)
Kaljo Raid – Symphony No. 1 (1944)
Joly Braga Santos – Symphony No. 3 (1949)
Ulvi Cemâl Erkin – Symphony No. 2 (1951)
Lennox Berkeley – Symphony No. 2 (1958)
Arnold Cooke – Symphony No. 3 (1967)

                      *) BTW, the constituency voted 60 % Lib.Dem., last Thursday

Interesting quoted works.  I am familiar with a few of the listings; however, what are the following like in terms of style, color, classification? Any reviews or composer similarities? Romantic?  Impressionist?  Expressionist?  Neoclassical?  Avant-garde?  My preferences tend toward the impressionist persuasion.  Not limited to it, of course.I like Gibbs and even have a piano score by him. Also like Goosens and Jensen.  Don't care for Cooke.  Don't know the others.  Good listing.

[mjwal]

Well, Magnard's #4 has been taken (good choice, Sarge), so I'll take Maxwell Davies #6 (could choose 2 or 5, as well).
Humphry Searle's #2 is underestimated, too, a major post WW2 work.
And what about Schoenberg's Kammersinfonie #1, a major 20th C work that shows the way to the future, a yearning piece of music which transcends its own origin in a certain fin-de-siècle Jugendstil ambiance to urgently delineate the urban feeling of the future, vacillating between hectic Engagement and leisurely flanerie.
P.S. I can't compete with Luke's brilliant analysis of this work on the Mendelssohn vs Schoenberg thread next door - he certainly doesn't underestimate it!

[jowcol]

Bainton's 2nd and Mennin's 3rd are also candidates, in my book.

[vandermolen]

Bainton's 2nd and Mennin's 3rd are also candidates, in my book.

Agree with these + Bainton Symphony No 3, Arnell symphonies 3-5, Ruth Gipps Symphony No 4, Klaus Egge Symphony No 1.

[Mirror Image]

If I had to pick just one symphony that is underrated it that is totally off the top of my head it would Roussel's "Symphony No. 1." People talk a lot about his later symphonies with their Neo-Classicism and tight construction, but this is the most rewarding work I've heard from Roussel. It's impressionistic and totally owes much to Debussy and Ravel, but Roussel developed a unique synthesis of his own for this particular symphony. A beautiful work that doesn't get the kind of recognition it deserves.

Of particular note, I want to also mention my love for Miaskovsky's "Symphony No. 24," which I also feel is so underrated. Actually, his Symphonies Nos. 20-27 all deserve a solid place in the concert repertoire.

[Cato]

For your consideration:



And another under-appreciated work by a great composer:

[jowcol]

If I had to pick just one symphony that is underrated it that is totally off the top of my head it would Roussel's "Symphony No. 1." People talk a lot about his later symphonies with their Neo-Classicism and tight construction, but this is the most rewarding work I've heard from Roussel. It's impressionistic and totally owes much to Debussy and Ravel, but Roussel developed a unique synthesis of his own for this particular symphony. A beautiful work that doesn't get the kind of recognition it deserves.

Of particular note, I want to also mention my love for Miaskovsky's "Symphony No. 24," which I also feel is so underrated. Actually, his Symphonies Nos. 20-27 all deserve a solid place in the concert repertoire.

Strongly agree on both 24 Miaskovsky (the middle movement sold me on him) and yes, I need to get the 1st Rousell-- I responded to it much more than his later symphonies.  A great work.

[The new erato]

I've been listening frequently to Finn Mortensen's op 5 symphony (on Aurora) recently, and this is a VERY strong work, strongly contrapuntal with a beatiful slow movement. Elements of Hindemith as well as Bruckner here. And the disc is coupled with his very fine Wind Quintet, anybody in love with Nielsens similar quintet really ought to hear this.

[Cato]

Allow me to recommend 4 underestimated symphonies:

Those of the mysterious Norwegian composer Fartein Valen.

[schweitzeralan]

Bainton's 2nd and Mennin's 3rd are also candidates, in my book.

Mennin's 6th could be added; or, perhaps the quite different Finnish composer  Madatoja's 2nd..

[vandermolen]

If I had to pick just one symphony that is underrated it that is totally off the top of my head it would Roussel's "Symphony No. 1." People talk a lot about his later symphonies with their Neo-Classicism and tight construction, but this is the most rewarding work I've heard from Roussel. It's impressionistic and totally owes much to Debussy and Ravel, but Roussel developed a unique synthesis of his own for this particular symphony. A beautiful work that doesn't get the kind of recognition it deserves.

Of particular note, I want to also mention my love for Miaskovsky's "Symphony No. 24," which I also feel is so underrated. Actually, his Symphonies Nos. 20-27 all deserve a solid place in the concert repertoire.

Very much agree with you about Roussel - I'd never bothered to listen to Symphony No 1 as the focus is usually on 3 and 4 but the impressionistic No 1 was a revelation, which led me on to the chamber music. Miaskovsky's Symphony No 24 is one of his best and a very fine work (It's on Naxos).

[Mirror Image]

Very much agree with you about Roussel - I'd never bothered to listen to Symphony No 1 as the focus is usually on 3 and 4 but the impressionistic No 1 was a revelation, which led me on to the chamber music. Miaskovsky's Symphony No 24 is one of his best and a very fine work (It's on Naxos).

We do have similar tastes. This is scary.

Anyway, Roussel's Symphony No. 1 is just so beautiful and unlike any other orchestral work he composed. It's very uncharacteristic of his mature style.

I only own the Svetlanov Miaskovsky box set, which has proven to be very special to me. I need to seek out alternatives though just so I can do some comparisons.

[vandermolen]

We do have similar tastes. This is scary.

Anyway, Roussel's Symphony No. 1 is just so beautiful and unlike any other orchestral work he composed. It's very uncharacteristic of his mature style.

I only own the Svetlanov Miaskovsky box set, which has proven to be very special to me. I need to seek out alternatives though just so I can do some comparisons.

There are 7 recordings of Miaskovsky's 6th Symphony (Kondrashin x2, Stankovsky, Liss, Jarvi,Dudarova, Svetlanov.) If you only have the Svetlanov you need to hear one with the chorus at the end. There is symphony 24/25 on Naxos and a fine version of No 17 with Alexander Gauk + the older Olympias have alternatives of symphonies 5, 11, and 27 + a few Marco Polo releases (ie Symphony . You probably know all this already!

[schweitzeralan]

Agree with these + Bainton Symphony No 3, Arnell symphonies 3-5, Ruth Gipps Symphony No 4, Klaus Egge Symphony No 1.

The Egge Symphony.  Great. very few seem to know this one.  Also love his piano concerto.

[Mirror Image]

There are 7 recordings of Miaskovsky's 6th Symphony (Kondrashin x2, Stankovsky, Liss, Jarvi,Dudarova, Svetlanov.) If you only have the Svetlanov you need to hear one with the chorus at the end. There is symphony 24/25 on Naxos and a fine version of No 17 with Alexander Gauk + the older Olympias have alternatives of symphonies 5, 11, and 27 + a few Marco Polo releases (ie Symphony . You probably know all this already!

I wasn't aware that there that many recordings of the 6th available. Thanks for that information. I'm still making my way through the Svetlanov set, but I have to say I'm most impressive with Symphonies Nos. 20-27. This seems to be a turning point, if you will, in his orchestral output. The music became much more personal with a strong Romantic lyricism, which, of course, I enjoy.

[Carnivorous Sheep]

From a "famous" composer I'd say Schubert's Fourth. Really an amazing work that gets overshadowed by Unfinished, Great, and even 3, 5, and 6 thanks to the Beecham recordings.

I also have taken a liking to Kabalevsky symphonies lately, especially the fourth, and I feel like it could certainly use some more attention.

And as a side note, I always like these sorts of threads. Going through them always opens up more than a few new and exciting pieces for me.