Favorite Symphony by a 1-Symphony Composer

[Maciek]

Do we have a "Favorite Symphony by a 2-Symphony Composer" poll yet? If not, why not? And if we do, could someone direct me to it? 0:)

[westknife]

How about "Favorite Symphony by a 104-Symphony Composer"?

[Gurn Blanston]

How about "Favorite Symphony by a 104-Symphony Composer"?

Either 88 or 92 (both in G major, BTW).

[Grazioso]

Do we have a "Favorite Symphony by a 2-Symphony Composer" poll yet? If not, why not? And if we do, could someone direct me to it? 0:)

Don't tempt me!

[ibanezmonster]

Or, how about a poll asking how many of Segerstam's 244 symphonies people here have actually heard?
I'm up to, um.... about 3 now, and I can't even remember which ones were the other two. 

[Mirror Image]

Or, how about a poll asking how many of Segerstam's 244 symphonies people here have actually heard?
I'm up to, um.... about 3 now, and I can't even remember which ones were the other two. 

I have no interest in Segerstam's music. He's a hell of a conductor though.

[MDL]

I think it's pretty groovy that Webern is ahead in a poll. Any poll.

'Tis groovy indeed.

[wilhelm]

Juan Crisostomo de Arriaga (1806-1826): Symphony in D (1824)

[asin]B000025HZM[/asin]

[eyeresist]

Well, the romantic and neo-romantic vote was divided 7 ways, and Webern captured the entire AC vote.   

As opposed to the DC vote?   

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Either 88 or 92 (both in G major, BTW).

Hm...favorite symphonies by key would be an interesting poll.

[DavidW]

Hm...favorite symphonies by key would be an interesting poll.

Only if you have perfect pitch!   Else it seems like a meaningless classification for a poll.

[abidoful]

I chose Grieg.

[Luke]

Only if you have perfect pitch!   Else it seems like a meaningless classification for a poll.

No, I don't agree. But this leads on to the question of key symbolism and association which we've had many times before. Essentially, we as listeners may or may not have perfect pitch, we may or may not associate different keys with different affekts or associations, but the chances are good that the composers themselves may have done so. And so if, for example, the poll showed that many of the most-loved symphonies are in D minor (biggies such as Beethoven 9, Bruckner 9, Mahler 9 being only some of quite a few obvious contenders) that suggests something. What it suggests is open to interpretation, of course - that the composers saved D minor for their finest thoughts? if so, why? that D minor suggested a certain association to the composer which many listeners value highly? if so, what is the association? etc. etc. But all that makes for potentially interesting discussion.

[abidoful]

Hm...favorite symphonies by key would be an interesting poll.

o.k Here's mine; e-minor
- Brahms 4th, Tsaikovsky 5th, Sibelius 1st, Rachmaninov 2nd

[starrynight]

How about "Favorite Symphony by a 104-Symphony Composer"?

Haydn wrote 106 I believe. 


With one symphony composers Moeran must be a strong candidate.  I always like to mention Arriaga as well, and it's a shame he wasn't in the poll.

[jowcol]

have to add a vote for Moeran-- as soon as I saw the thread title, it wasn't a choice for me...

[DavidW]

No, I don't agree. But this leads on to the question of key symbolism and association which we've had many times before. Essentially, we as listeners may or may not have perfect pitch, we may or may not associate different keys with different affekts or associations, but the chances are good that the composers themselves may have done so. And so if, for example, the poll showed that many of the most-loved symphonies are in D minor (biggies such as Beethoven 9, Bruckner 9, Mahler 9 being only some of quite a few obvious contenders) that suggests something. What it suggests is open to interpretation, of course - that the composers saved D minor for their finest thoughts? if so, why? that D minor suggested a certain association to the composer which many listeners value highly? if so, what is the association? etc. etc. But all that makes for potentially interesting discussion.

But Luke
(a) a different forum would have different results, for example on Talk Classical Mahler's 2nd reigns supreme
(b) Mozart's 41st is in C major, Brahms' 4th is in E minor, none of Haydn's London symphonies are even in D minor, Schubert's final symphony "the great" that he worked so hard on is in C major, Tchaikovsky's 6th is in B minor... need I go on?  I don't think you really found interesting with that key.
(c) Correlation is not equal to causation.  Finding several masterpieces in a specific key doesn't mean that key has any special significance.

[Florestan]

Didn't we have a member who listened to nothing BUT D minor works? 

[DavidW]

Didn't we have a member who listened to nothing BUT D minor works? 

Yeah Dm is awesome, I'd him to return!

[Florestan]

Interestingly enough, some of the most beautiful and profound music is in C major --- and by Schubert: Symph #9 and String Quintett.