Favorite Symphonies by a 2-Symphony Composer

[Grazioso]

By request, sort of "Two" means "two completed by the composer," no reconstructions, half-finished works, etc. Chamber symphonies included. I tried to go with choices that are, iirc, available on disc. Please let me know of any corrections/omissions. I actually try to keep track of these minutiae regarding symphonies.

Up to 5 choices.

[Lethevich]

I am inordinately fond of Eugene Goossens' two, but Walton, Stenhammar and Elgar trump him. I voted for the latter.

[(poco) Sforzando]

Are we going to have threads of this type up to numerical infinity?

[DavidW]

What, no Wagner?

[DavidW]

I voted for Borodin because nobody else would... boy was I wrong!

[(poco) Sforzando]

I voted for Mary Alice because I've never heard of her, which is proof positive she must be really good, because any composers anyone has actually heard of are obviously overrated, and so a composer no one has ever heard of is obviously underrated and therefore must be a lot better than any overrated composer whose music anyone has actually heard of.

[Scarpia]

I'm holding out for the thread of five-symphony composers.   0:)

[Scarpia]

I voted for Mary Alice because I've never heard of her, which is proof positive she must be really good, because any composers anyone has actually heard of are obviously overrated, and so a composer no one has ever heard of is obviously underrated and therefore must be a lot better than any overrated composer whose music anyone has actually heard of.

[asin]B0007KIGFE[/asin]

[Mirror Image]

I voted for Dutilleux, Barber, Schoenberg, Elgar, and Borodin. These composers have impressed me the most from the list, though I do have a soft spot for Balakirev's symphonies.

[Daverz]

Are we going to have threads of this type up to numerical infinity?

I think we only have to go as high as Segerstam's latest symphony.

According to Wikipedia, Goossens also wrote a Sinfonietta, so he's a 2 or 3 symphony composer depending on how you classify that.  Some other 2 symphony composers according to Wikipedia:

Paul Ben-Haim
John Vincent (an earlier symphony was lost)
Antal Dorati
Richard Yardumian
Karel Husa
Lowell Liebermann
Florent Schmitt (if you accept their classification of a Symphonie Concertante and a symphony for strings.)

[(poco) Sforzando]

[asin]B0007KIGFE[/asin]

And don't forget, she was a woman too, and since women composers are always underrated, she must be even better than I thought!

But look at the Amazon review!

From the era when England was believed to have produced no composers, and when women in particular were understood as incapable of composing in the larger genres, Alice Mary Smith (1839-1884) wrote three brilliant symphonies as well as other works including cantatas and string quartets. This is one of my favorite CDs, and I am always wondering WHY DIDN'T WE KNOW ABOUT THIS COMPOSER BEFORE?

It's bad enough she wrote THREE SYMPHONIES!! But someone has actually heard of her! I withdraw my vote. Pfui.

[(poco) Sforzando]

I think we only have to go as high as Segerstam's latest symphony.

But that's like Zeno's Paradox. You can never catch up.

[Scarpia]

And don't forget, she was a woman too, and since women composers are always underrated, she must be even better than I thought!It's bad enough she wrote THREE SYMPHONIES!! But someone has actually heard of her! I withdraw my vote. Pfui.

I got the CD recently, her major works were performed in her lifetime, so her status as underrated is questionable.   

[Daverz]

But that's like Zeno's Paradox. You can never catch up.

A single recursion relation should take care of it, at least until Segerstam stops composing and starts decomposing.

[eyeresist]

I voted Balakirev, Borodin, Kalinnikov, Elgar, Barber, but must shamefacedly admit I haven't heard many of the others.

[Daverz]

I voted Balakirev, Borodin, Kalinnikov, Elgar, Barber, but must shamefacedly admit I haven't heard many of the others.

I think I can save you time with two of them:  Martucci's music is dull and empty (perhaps someone else can make a case for it), and the Weber symphonies are very disappointing if you know his concertos and overtures. 

Of the others, make sure you hear Dutilleaux.  You'll love Bortkiewicz if you like Balakirev, Borodin and Kalinnikov.  Goldmark's Rustic Wedding Symphony is a wonder; his Symphony No. 2 is only "nice" in comparison.  The Schoenberg works are not too knotty and actually fairly accessible.

[(poco) Sforzando]

Goldmark's Rustic Wedding Symphony is a wonder. The Schoenberg works are not too knotty and actually fairly accessible.

Yes.

[eyeresist]

Thanks, Daverz.

[mc ukrneal]

You have forgotten Burgmuller and Arensky, two I would vote for.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

I voted Borodin, Walton, Elgar, Schoenberg and Rouse. Even though Borodin is actually a 2.5 symphony composer, and Rouse is (reportedly) working on a 3rd symphony.