The Most Underestimated Symphony

[Philoctetes]

D'Indy's Symphony No. 2

Sounds like Mahler, but with a French flair, making it lush.

[offbeat]

Scriabin 3rd Symphony (Divine Poem)
The sort of music i adore -despite being repetitive - i find the lush orchestration compelling - like being immersed in a warm bath.....

[Beetzart]

What about Max Bruch's symphonies? I've never heard them, but some say that they are great!

[The new erato]

What about Max Bruch's symphonies? I've never heard them, but some say that they are great!

No they are definitely not. No 3 is relatively OK, the other two are mediocre at best.

[kyjo]

Damn, this is an old thread. Resurrection time:

Braga Santos 4. For reasons stated innumerable times elsewhere.

P.S. Yes, I did it! I limited myself to just one!

[TheGSMoeller]

Kurt Weill's 2nd.

[kyjo]

Weill's two symphonies are very interesting, eclectic works. They move from mocking humor to determined seriousness within the blink of an eye!

[vandermolen]

Klaus Egge: Symphony No 1

See above for my list of 10,000 more 

[Karl Henning]

Klaus Egge: Symphony No 1

See above for my list of 10,000 more 

We love you, Jeffrey 

[Karl Henning]

I think Haydn's symphonies are the most under rated

Truth!

[kyjo]

Haydn? Underrated? Are you f****** kidding me? You people baffle me to no end!

[Karl Henning]

You're underrating him now.

[kyjo]

You're underrating him now.

I like Haydn's music quite a bit, Karl. But I just don't see how the hell he is underrated? I'd like some reasoning on your part, if you wouldn't mind.

[kyjo]

That's because you apparently do not know much about Haydn other than you've heard of him.

Assumptions, assumptions, assumptions......

[kyjo]

Just because I love a particular composer's music doesn't automatically mean I think they're underrated. For example, I dearly love Mahler's music, though he's hardly underrated!

I fully recognize that Haydn was a masterful and historically important composer and I never said that he wasn't!

[kyjo]

And my love for Haydn's music has nothing to do with why I suggested that his symphonies, in particular, have been underestimated.  Among the Classical era composers, his symphonies have been considered "third" after Beethoven and Mozart, whereas, I really think that his invention surpassed both those composers at times.

I agree with you that Haydn gets less exposure than M&B in the concert hall.

[Karl Henning]

I agree with you that Haydn gets less exposure than M&B in the concert hall.

. . . because . . . .

(Feeling a bit like Sir Bedivere.)

[Karl Henning]

I stand with you.

And probably Gurn's chihuahua.

[DavidW]

I agree with Kyjo.  Haydn's symphonies are not underrepresented in either recordings or the concert hall.  There are multiple complete sets, and nearly complete sets (which itself is a tremendous accomplishment because it takes many years of effort on part of the musicians).  The Londons and Paris are very popular.  And he gets programmed alot.  I've even heard the first symphony in concert!

Saying that Haydn is underperformed compared to Mozart or Beethoven isn't saying much.  Those two composers dominate concerts at the expense of everyone else.

[relm1]

I wish Gunther Kochan's 5th symphony was better known.  I find it contemporary, well crafted, and engaging.
Here are some links to his symphonic music. Hope some enjoy it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aFeHTQRqxo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jhrX6WbkUw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jhrX6WbkUw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JwxJyUfPw4

one of the things I liked so much about his music was it had a fresh sound (always held me attentive and engaged) while also felt somewhat traditional (in a good way). I like it when composers don't abandon tradition but personalize it.