Which symphony has the most poweful ending?

[Maciek]

Brahms 4 for me, easy. 0:)

[vandermolen]

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.

I stand duly reprimanded 

[RJR]

Without Beethoven's 9th, which would raise MY hair if I had any, the poll loses all credibility.

I second Gurnatron5500's choice and raise him Tchaikovsky's 4th, Schubert's 9th, Dutilleux's 2nd, Roussel's 3rd, Shostakovich's 10th and Beethoven's Fifth for good measure. Not all are hair raising but they pack a punch.

[abidoful]

Since you said "powerful and hair-raising" , I had to vote the Brahms 4th.

But these aren't the best options for "hair-raising".The Mahler 3rd ending for instance is a lyrical ending... And from the Sibelius-cycle definately the 5th wins  this game!

Also the Tsaikovsky 5th is a strong one...

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Bruckner 5. Colossal.

[Roberto]

Mahler 8. (Especially the first part's ending). But it is not on the list. So I would choose Bruckner 5.

[offbeat]

Not a powerful ending but for me Brahms 3rd ends in such meloncoly and regret - a thread which runs through the whole symphony and despite the beauty and the bluster i feel this is one of his most deeply felt works 

[TheGSMoeller]

Not a powerful ending but for me Brahms 3rd ends in such meloncoly and regret - a thread which runs through the whole symphony and despite the beauty and the bluster i feel this is one of his most deeply felt works 

IMO the best of Brahms, and possibly the best from the Romantic Era.

I chose DSCH 5th only because I've seen it performed several times, and it's quite a moving ending after the emotional 45 minutes that precede it.

[Vesteralen]

I went for Brahms because, at his best (as in the finale of the 4th), his music has the same powerful effect on me that the plays of Sophocles do.  Other symphonies can be moving on a more temporary basis for me, but the impact of the Brahms Fourth is much deeper and longer lasting.  That's just my personality and the way I respond to things.

Speaking on a simply aural level, the symphony ending that packed the biggest wallop for me in a live performance was Barber's Symphony in One Movement.

[Mood4Classical]

The ending of the first movement of Brahms 4 keeps me speechless. Sibelius 2nd does the same but is transcendental rather than powerful. You remind me to visit Mahler 3, been a long time 

[Frihed89]

The ending of the first movement of Brahms 4 keeps me speechless. Sibelius 2nd does the same but is transcendental rather than powerful. You remind me to visit Mahler 3, been a long time 

Exactly, my toss-up was between Bruckner and Sibelius, but it was the same differences you saw that inspired my gut to pick the Sibelius 2nd.

Isn't this part of the forum for "beginners" ? 

I am new.  I seem to enjoy Romantic and early modern composers: R. Strauss, Mahler, Bruckner, Sibelius, Bartok, Nielsen, Ives and, for some reason, Messiaen, and Bach for his Unaccompanied Cello Suites and violin sonatas and partitas.

[bhodges]

Exactly, my toss-up was between Bruckner and Sibelius, but it was the same differences you saw that inspired my gut to pick the Sibelius 2nd.

Isn't this part of the forum for "beginners" ? 

I am new.  I seem to enjoy Romantic and early modern composers: R. Strauss, Mahler, Bruckner, Sibelius, Bartok, Nielsen, Ives and, for some reason, Messiaen, and Bach for his Unaccompanied Cello Suites and violin sonatas and partitas.

Hi Frihed89, and welcome. Feel free to post a little more about yourself (if you like) in the "Introductions" section of the board. And I'm a fan of all those composers you list, too!

--Bruce

[madaboutmahler]

Voted for Bruckner 5, does not get much more powerful than that! The only other symphony endings I can think of that are more powerful and overwhelming would be the ends to Mahler 2 and 8

[Lisztianwagner]

I voted for Bruckner No.5, its ending is certainly very intense and thrilling; but both Mahler No.3 and Shostakovich No.5 are highly impressive!   

Little amazed there's not Beethoven No.9 in the list, the finale of that symphony is one of the most powerful and beautiful I've ever heard, so involving!

[Opus106]

Little amazed there's not Beethoven No.9 in the list, the finale of that symphony is one of the most powerful and beautiful I've ever heard, so involving!

It's too popular!

[Lisztianwagner]

It's too popular!

That's right, but this doesn't take out anything to its greatness I think.

Anyway aren't Beethoven No.7 and Schubert No.9 very popular as well?