Favorite Symphony by a 1-Symphony Composer

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Another symphony poll: your favorite by a composer who for whatever reason (early death, laziness, etc.) only completed one symphony.

In keeping with the spirit, choose only one.

[Jared]

don't we get to choose Berlioz or Grieg, then?   

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

don't we get to choose Berlioz or Grieg, then?   

That's what "other" is for. Didn't Berlioz write more than one thing called "symphony"?

[Lethevich]

I was tempted to say Eisler just to be different, but I don't like the piece that much. I very recently discovered Zimmermann's Sinfonie in einem Satz thanks to Scarpia and it packs a punch - a bit harsh but with traces of melody, a very concentrated, forceful piece.

Of the ones you list, I voted for Korngold, although Webern and Moeran come close.

[DavidW]

Out of the choices it's a toss up between Bizet and Webern, I chose Bizet.

[karlhenning]

I voted with my listening and home library, both: Webern.

[karlhenning]

That's what "other" is for. Didn't Berlioz write more than one thing called "symphony"?

Absolutely! The Symphonie funèbre et triomphale, too.

[mc ukrneal]

Arriaga would be a good choice.

[Cato]

The first symphony which came to mind for such a category:

Ernest Chausson: Symphony in Bb.

Great work!  I had a record once which paired it with Le Chasseur Maudit by Cesar Franck (Charles Munch and Boston maybe?)  A slam-bang combo!

[Lethevich]

Hmm, I just thought of Turangalîla, and Bliss's Colour Symphony - tempted to go for the latter, but the Korngold piece is just too good

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

OK, have added Chausson and Messiaen "Turangalila" (jeez, how could I forget the latter!).

My personal vote goes to that lovable anachronism, Shapero's Symphony for Classical Orchestra. Though I came very close to voting for Vorisek.

[Grazioso]

That's what "other" is for. Didn't Berlioz write more than one thing called "symphony"?

Symphonie fantastique
Grand Symphonie funebre et triomphale
Harold en Italie
Romeo et Juliette

Out of the choices it's a toss up between Bizet and Webern, I chose Bizet.

Bizet wrote two: "Roma" and the symphony in C

I was tempted to say Eisler just to be different, but I don't like the piece that much. I very recently discovered Zimmermann's Sinfonie in einem Satz thanks to Scarpia and it packs a punch - a bit harsh but with traces of melody, a very concentrated, forceful piece.

Eisler also wrote a chamber symphony and "Kleine Sinfonie" in addition to the Deutsche Sinfonie

[karlhenning]

Hmm, I just thought of Turangalîla, and Bliss's Colour Symphony - tempted to go for the latter, but the Korngold piece is just too good

Love threads like this, which wind up reminding me of good pieces which are apt to have fallen off my radar, such as the Korngold . . . .

[Grazioso]

I went with Korngold. What a shame he didn't write others to accompany that masterpiece!

Fwiw, some other (afaik) single-symphony composers:

Dukas
Kodaly
Harty
Lalo
Leifs
Paderewski
Smetana
Wagner (finished one plus part of another)

[Lethevich]

Heeeyy, we had an agreement, we don't spam your thread with suggested symphony cycles...

Seriously though, I forgot the Leifs which is excellent, same for Dukas. The Harty is completely not excellent, although perhaps I am being harsh.

[Grazioso]

Heeeyy, we had an agreement, we don't spam your thread with suggested symphony cycles...

Seriously though, I forgot the Leifs which is excellent, same for Dukas. The Harty is completely not excellent, although perhaps I am being harsh.

Not spam, just info for those who wish to pursue the matter. (My name is Grazioso, and I'm a symphony addict.) I personally would never vote for the Leifs, for example, which is almost unlistenable to me.

[Wanderer]

Korngold. Many excellent choices there, though!

[Scarpia]

If "La Mer" doesn't count as a symphony this is a purely semantic poll.   0:)

[Sergeant Rock]

Sarge

[The new erato]

Cesar Franck.

And Dukas.

But my favorite probably is Finn Mortensen.