Which symphony has the most poweful ending?

[Bruckner is God]

Personally I love the ending of Mahler's third symphony. It's amazing.  What's your favourite out of these 7 symphonies?

[Sergeant Rock]

They are all impressive but I vote for Bruckner 5. "When the chorale stretches a vast triple rhythm over the basic quadruple pulse, the effect is overwhelming" --Robert Simpson


Sarge

[jochanaan]

All these endings are magnificent--but I voted for Mahler 3, because it, more than any of the others, needs to be played exactly right.  Far too many conductors, in my experience, rush it.

[ibanezmonster]

Mahler 3, but the only one I can accept is Tennstedt's version.
These aren't really the best selections, I don't think. I think Mahler 2 and 9 should be on the poll, although if you mean "powerful" in a broad sense (without regard to volume) I consider 9 to be by far the greatest, most powerful statement of probably anything, period.

[Brahmsian]

From this list, my favorite ending is Shostakovich's 5th.

The most powerful for me though, but it isn't on the list is Bruckner's 8th.

[Mirror Image]

This list needs a serious update. I choose Bruckner 5 and Mahler 3 for now.

[vandermolen]

My vote also goes to Bruckner's 5th.

I'd also add:

Bruckner Symphony No 8
Walton Symphony No 1
Shostakovich Symphony No 4 (ends in the deepest gloom - so not powerful in terms of loudness)
Vaughan Williams symphonies 4 and 9
Pokofiev Symphony No 6

[Bruckner is God]

My question was not what the most powerful ending in any symphony is.
I agree there are probably more powerful endings, but nonetheless these are my personal favourites.

[ibanezmonster]

Actually, I'd have to say a tie between Shostakovich 5 and Mahler 3, now that I think about it...

[eyeresist]

I went for the Brahms because I love that movement.

But, really, I can think of several better choice off the top of my head. Mahler 2 and Vaughan Williams 4 for instance. Both endings knock the socks off Brahms (with respect).

[Tapio Dmitriyevich]

My vote goes to Shostakovich 5. It's first movement also has a very powerful ending, but not in terms of being loud.

[mahler10th]

A formiddable list of contenders put forward, I would have considered the matter deeply, but Bruckners 5th being there killed any sense of fair judgement for me, and he was clicked with some aplomb, but not too much.   

[Jaakko Keskinen]

Brahms's first actually, in my opinion. It is tremendous and easily deserves the nickname "Beethoven's 10th".

Since it's not in poll, I have to pick Sibelius's second. Like soul being dipped in liquid gold.

[Wanderer]

I agree it's not fair to the others, putting Bruckner's Fifth on that list. Voted with confidence, although I could've voted for the Sibelius, Mahler or Brahms options just as easily. Regarding Shostakovich, I consider the endings of the Eleventh and Seventh Symphonies more powerful still than the listed Fifth. The likes of Brahms 1 or Sibelius 7 could also be on that list.

Since it's not in poll, I have to pick Sibelius's second. Like soul being dipped in liquid gold.

Love the metaphor.

[Palmetto]

Asked the newb...

[karlhenning]

Asked the newb...

Excellent question!

(* munches popcorn while the answers roll in *)

[Brian]

Asked the newb...

Darn right! That's why I haven't contributed or voted: when somebody suggests a piece like Sibelius 7, that seems to be about spiritual healing and acceptance; on the other hand, something like Beethoven 7 is about pure visceral, physical excitement. There are leanings toward "emotionally intense", but then why on earth is the kind of silly, charming Schubert 9 on the list? And these are pretty uniformly really loud endings, but what if there's a powerful quiet ending, like Zemlinksy's Lyric Symphony?

[Sergeant Rock]

I may not be able to define it but I know powerful when I hear it 


Sarge

[Opus106]

Asked the newb...

Very similar to how one would define greatest. 0:)

[ibanezmonster]

Very similar to how one would define greatest. 0:)

Or favorite?