GMG's Favorite Symphonies

[Amfortas]

Actually some of us have quite mixed feelings about Mahler. I have not voted against any of his symphonies and won't since he is much loved by many. As for me, I absolutely love his fourth symphony and am OK (lukewarm actually) with his first, but find his other symphonies to be plodding massive soundscapes. I have to admit that I have not listened to Mahler, other than his fourth, in quite a while. It may be time to dig up one of my box sets of his symphonies and have another listen, the scary thing is that I have several box sets.

Any suggestions for someone who likes his fourth symphony? Which other should I start with?

Sincerely,

Hany.

Hi Hany,
I love the Mahler 4th (and all his works). The 4th is very different in many ways from his other symphonies, but if you really do like it, I would think the 3rd would be a logical one to go to next. Both 3 and 4 have a lot of lyricism, which is always a component of Mahler. One big difference about the 3rd is that it's very long. But I got to know Mahler movement by movement, so I can recommend doing that. Take your time, it's music, there is no rush. 

(And give the 1st another chance too) 

[Wanderer]

After: Amfortas

+3 Brahms 1
+1 Berlioz
-2 Beethoven 2 (through gritted teeth)



13 Brahms: Symphony № 1
13 Mahler: Symphony  № 3 in d minor
12 Beethoven Symphony № 2 in D major Op,36
11 Brahms: Symphony № 3 in F, op.90
10 Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 In D Minor, Op. 47
09 Berlioz: Roméo et Juliette
07 Dvorak: Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70
04 Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27
03 Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17 "Little Russian"
03 Haydn: Symphony № 103
03 Nielsen: Symphony № 5, Op. 50
02 Sibelius Symphony №1 in E minor, Op. 39
02 Franck: Symphony in D minor, M48
02 Saint-Saëns: Symphony № 3 in C minor, op.78 "avec orgue"
02 Mozart: Symphony No.38 "Prague"
01 Mozart: Symphony № 41 in C major, K.551 "Jupiter"
01 Schubert: Symphony № 3
00 Haydn: Symphony № 101
00 Vermeulen: Symphony № 2, Prélude à la nouvelle journée

[Conor71]

After Wanderer


Shostakovich +2
Rachmaninov +1
Brahms 1 -1
Mahler 3 -1



13 Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 In D Minor, Op. 47
12 Mahler: Symphony  № 3 in d minor
12 Brahms: Symphony № 1
12 Beethoven Symphony № 2 in D major Op,36
11 Brahms: Symphony № 3 in F, op.90
09 Berlioz: Roméo et Juliette
07 Dvorak: Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70
05 Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27
03 Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17 "Little Russian"
03 Haydn: Symphony № 103
03 Nielsen: Symphony № 5, Op. 50
02 Sibelius Symphony №1 in E minor, Op. 39
02 Franck: Symphony in D minor, M48
02 Saint-Saëns: Symphony № 3 in C minor, op.78 "avec orgue"
02 Mozart: Symphony No.38 "Prague"
01 Mozart: Symphony № 41 in C major, K.551 "Jupiter"
01 Schubert: Symphony № 3
00 Haydn: Symphony № 101
00 Vermeulen: Symphony № 2, Prélude à la nouvelle journée

[mszczuj]

After: Conor71

+3 Beethoven Symphony № 2 in D major Op,36
+1 Brahms: Symphony № 3 in F, op.90
-2 Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 In D Minor, Op. 47

(please help me with Beethoven I will help you with Mahler, Brahms, Brahms, Shostakovich, and Dvorak)

15 Beethoven Symphony № 2 in D major Op,36
12 Mahler: Symphony  № 3 in d minor
12 Brahms: Symphony № 1
12 Brahms: Symphony № 3 in F, op.90
11 Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 In D Minor, Op. 47
09 Berlioz: Roméo et Juliette
07 Dvorak: Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70
05 Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27
03 Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17 "Little Russian"
03 Haydn: Symphony № 103
03 Nielsen: Symphony № 5, Op. 50
02 Sibelius Symphony №1 in E minor, Op. 39
02 Franck: Symphony in D minor, M48
02 Saint-Saëns: Symphony № 3 in C minor, op.78 "avec orgue"
02 Mozart: Symphony No.38 "Prague"
01 Mozart: Symphony № 41 in C major, K.551 "Jupiter"
01 Schubert: Symphony № 3
00 Haydn: Symphony № 101
00 Vermeulen: Symphony № 2, Prélude à la nouvelle journé

[eyeresist]

Hi Hany,
I love the Mahler 4th (and all his works). The 4th is very different in many ways from his other symphonies, but if you really do like it, I would think the 3rd would be a logical one to go to next. Both 3 and 4 have a lot of lyricism, which is always a component of Mahler. One big difference about the 3rd is that it's very long. But I got to know Mahler movement by movement, so I can recommend doing that. Take your time, it's music, there is no rush. 

These Mahler 3 fanboys, I dunno... It's M's longest symphony and I'd say by no means his best   I would recommend the 2nd ("Resurrection"), but you should pay attention to the program and the words for it to be fully effective. I also love 6 and 7. 6 is good if you're in the mood for something grim, 7 is more of a fantasia (I love Tennstedt's recording).
Anyway, never mind Mahler, if you want to save my feelings, stop voting down Shostakovich! (and Prokofiev)

[eyeresist]

After mszczuj

+2 Prokofiev: Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op.44  (new entry)
+1 Shostakovich: Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op.10  (new entry)
+1 Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 In D Minor, Op. 47
-1 Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17 "Little Russian"
-1 Nielsen: Symphony № 5, Op. 50

15 Beethoven Symphony № 2 in D major Op,36
12 Mahler: Symphony  № 3 in d minor
12 Brahms: Symphony № 1
12 Brahms: Symphony № 3 in F, op.90
12 Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 In D Minor, Op. 47
09 Berlioz: Roméo et Juliette
07 Dvorak: Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70
05 Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27
03 Haydn: Symphony № 103
02 Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17 "Little Russian"
02 Nielsen: Symphony № 5, Op. 50
02 Sibelius Symphony №1 in E minor, Op. 39
02 Franck: Symphony in D minor, M48
02 Prokofiev: Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op.44
02 Saint-Saëns: Symphony № 3 in C minor, op.78 "avec orgue"
02 Mozart: Symphony No.38 "Prague"
01 Mozart: Symphony № 41 in C major, K.551 "Jupiter"
01 Schubert: Symphony № 3
01 Shostakovich: Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op.10
00 Haydn: Symphony № 101
00 Vermeulen: Symphony № 2, Prélude à la nouvelle journé

[kishnevi]

These Mahler 3 fanboys, I dunno... It's M's longest symphony and I'd say by no means his best   I would recommend the 2nd ("Resurrection"), but you should pay attention to the program and the words for it to be fully effective. I also love 6 and 7. 6 is good if you're in the mood for something grim, 7 is more of a fantasia (I love Tennstedt's recording).
Anyway, never mind Mahler, if you want to save my feelings, stop voting down Shostakovich! (and Prokofiev)

Intervening for a moment--being a Mahler fanboy in general, I have to symphathize with those who don't like the Third.  It's my least favorite, and it's easy to find a recording that lets it plod along.  The best recordings I've heard are Zinman, Gergiev, and Inbal--but it's not the one I'd suggest as an intro.  My favorites overall are the Second, Fifth, and Ninth, and Das Lied von der Erde.  As an entrypoint to Mahler, I'd suggest the earlier song cycles, the First, the Second and the Fourth, followed by the Fifth and the Ninth, and DLvdE

[eyeresist]

First time I've heard Gergiev recommended for anything Mahler! I'm guessing he's swifter than most...

[kishnevi]

First time I've heard Gergiev recommended for anything Mahler! I'm guessing he's swifter than most...

Compared to the others, he's a speed demon in the Third--92 minutes.  Most performances I've heard seem to come in at 99 or 100 minutes, with Tilson Thomas being the slowest, at about 103.  Gergiev's audience would have been walking to their cars by the time Thomas was through.

I am something of a lone voice in favor of Gergiev, and even with him I'm not enchanted by everything--I think his Fourth is lousy, and the Second and Fifth rather ho hum.  I like his First, Third, Sixth and Seventh--among Sevenths I've heard (which of course leaves out a lot I haven't heard) I'd rate him second, just after Abbado/Berlin and a little ahead of Thomas.   

[mc ukrneal]

After eyeresist

+3 Brahms 1
+1 Rach 2
-2 Beethoven 2

15 Brahms: Symphony № 1
13 Beethoven Symphony № 2 in D major Op,36
12 Mahler: Symphony  № 3 in d minor
12 Brahms: Symphony № 3 in F, op.90
12 Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 In D Minor, Op. 47
09 Berlioz: Roméo et Juliette
07 Dvorak: Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70
06 Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27
03 Haydn: Symphony № 103
02 Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17 "Little Russian"
02 Nielsen: Symphony № 5, Op. 50
02 Sibelius Symphony №1 in E minor, Op. 39
02 Franck: Symphony in D minor, M48
02 Prokofiev: Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op.44
02 Saint-Saëns: Symphony № 3 in C minor, op.78 "avec orgue"
02 Mozart: Symphony No.38 "Prague"
01 Mozart: Symphony № 41 in C major, K.551 "Jupiter"
01 Schubert: Symphony № 3
01 Shostakovich: Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op.10
00 Haydn: Symphony № 101
00 Vermeulen: Symphony № 2, Prélude à la nouvelle journé

[mszczuj]

After: mc ukrneal

+3 Beethoven Symphony № 2 in D major Op,36
+1 Brahms: Symphony № 3 in F, op.90
-2 Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 In D Minor, Op. 47


16 Beethoven Symphony № 2 in D major Op,36
13 Brahms: Symphony № 1
13 Brahms: Symphony № 3 in F, op.90
12 Mahler: Symphony  № 3 in d minor
12 Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 In D Minor, Op. 47
09 Berlioz: Roméo et Juliette
07 Dvorak: Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70
06 Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27
03 Haydn: Symphony № 103
02 Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17 "Little Russian"
02 Nielsen: Symphony № 5, Op. 50
02 Sibelius Symphony №1 in E minor, Op. 39
02 Franck: Symphony in D minor, M48
02 Prokofiev: Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op.44
02 Saint-Saëns: Symphony № 3 in C minor, op.78 "avec orgue"
02 Mozart: Symphony No.38 "Prague"
01 Mozart: Symphony № 41 in C major, K.551 "Jupiter"
01 Schubert: Symphony № 3
01 Shostakovich: Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op.10
00 Haydn: Symphony № 101
00 Vermeulen: Symphony № 2, Prélude à la nouvelle journé

[haziz]

After mszczuj

+3 Dvorak 7
+1 Brahms 3

-2 Shostakovich 5


16 Beethoven Symphony № 2 in D major Op,36
14 Brahms: Symphony № 3 in F, op.90
13 Brahms: Symphony № 1
12 Mahler: Symphony  № 3 in d minor
10 Dvorak: Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70
10 Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 In D Minor, Op. 47
09 Berlioz: Roméo et Juliette
06 Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27
03 Haydn: Symphony № 103
02 Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17 "Little Russian"
02 Nielsen: Symphony № 5, Op. 50
02 Sibelius Symphony №1 in E minor, Op. 39
02 Franck: Symphony in D minor, M48
02 Prokofiev: Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op.44
02 Saint-Saëns: Symphony № 3 in C minor, op.78 "avec orgue"
02 Mozart: Symphony No.38 "Prague"
01 Mozart: Symphony № 41 in C major, K.551 "Jupiter"
01 Schubert: Symphony № 3
01 Shostakovich: Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op.10
00 Haydn: Symphony № 101
00 Vermeulen: Symphony № 2, Prélude à la nouvelle journé

[Amfortas]

Intervening for a moment--being a Mahler fanboy in general, I have to symphathize with those who don't like the Third.  It's my least favorite, and it's easy to find a recording that lets it plod along.  The best recordings I've heard are Zinman, Gergiev, and Inbal--but it's not the one I'd suggest as an intro.  My favorites overall are the Second, Fifth, and Ninth, and Das Lied von der Erde.  As an entrypoint to Mahler, I'd suggest the earlier song cycles, the First, the Second and the Fourth, followed by the Fifth and the Ninth, and DLvdE

Fine if you don't like the Third, but I'm not wrong if I do like it. I was basing my comment on the original poster saying he liked the 4th and had not like others he'd heard. Based on that I'd certainly not steer him right away toward Das Lied. The Third seemed a good place to go after the 4th--this is all subjective, no? Most people's Mahler intro is the Second, I was trying to be original here.  They all take some getting used to. And some will never like any of them.

[Amfortas]

After Haziz

Mahler 3 +3
Shostak 5 +2
Berlioz Romeo -2 [sorry, it's just not a 'symphony' to me, and yes I know it's been called a symphony]

16 Beethoven Symphony № 2 in D major Op,36
15 Mahler: Symphony  № 3 in d minor
14 Brahms: Symphony № 3 in F, op.90
13 Brahms: Symphony № 1
12 Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 In D Minor, Op. 47
10 Dvorak: Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70
07 Berlioz: Roméo et Juliette
06 Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27
03 Haydn: Symphony № 103
02 Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17 "Little Russian"
02 Nielsen: Symphony № 5, Op. 50
02 Sibelius Symphony №1 in E minor, Op. 39
02 Franck: Symphony in D minor, M48
02 Prokofiev: Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op.44
02 Saint-Saëns: Symphony № 3 in C minor, op.78 "avec orgue"
02 Mozart: Symphony No.38 "Prague"
01 Mozart: Symphony № 41 in C major, K.551 "Jupiter"
01 Schubert: Symphony № 3
01 Shostakovich: Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op.10
00 Haydn: Symphony № 101
00 Vermeulen: Symphony № 2, Prélude à la nouvelle journé

[Wanderer]

After: Amfortas

+3 Berlioz
+1 Brahms 1
-2 Rachmaninov 2

16 Beethoven Symphony № 2 in D major Op,36
15 Mahler: Symphony  № 3 in d minor
14 Brahms: Symphony № 3 in F, op.90
14 Brahms: Symphony № 1
12 Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 In D Minor, Op. 47
10 Dvorak: Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70
10 Berlioz: Roméo et Juliette
04 Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27
03 Haydn: Symphony № 103
02 Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17 "Little Russian"
02 Nielsen: Symphony № 5, Op. 50
02 Sibelius Symphony №1 in E minor, Op. 39
02 Franck: Symphony in D minor, M48
02 Prokofiev: Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op.44
02 Saint-Saëns: Symphony № 3 in C minor, op.78 "avec orgue"
02 Mozart: Symphony No.38 "Prague"
01 Mozart: Symphony № 41 in C major, K.551 "Jupiter"
01 Schubert: Symphony № 3
01 Shostakovich: Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op.10
00 Haydn: Symphony № 101
00 Vermeulen: Symphony № 2, Prélude à la nouvelle journée

[mc ukrneal]

After Wanderer

+3 Rach 2
+1 Brahms 1
-2 Berlioz

16 Beethoven Symphony № 2 in D major Op,36
15 Mahler: Symphony  № 3 in d minor
15 Brahms: Symphony № 1
14 Brahms: Symphony № 3 in F, op.90
12 Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 In D Minor, Op. 47
10 Dvorak: Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70
08 Berlioz: Roméo et Juliette
07 Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27
03 Haydn: Symphony № 103
02 Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17 "Little Russian"
02 Nielsen: Symphony № 5, Op. 50
02 Sibelius Symphony №1 in E minor, Op. 39
02 Franck: Symphony in D minor, M48
02 Prokofiev: Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op.44
02 Saint-Saëns: Symphony № 3 in C minor, op.78 "avec orgue"
02 Mozart: Symphony No.38 "Prague"
01 Mozart: Symphony № 41 in C major, K.551 "Jupiter"
01 Schubert: Symphony № 3
01 Shostakovich: Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op.10
00 Haydn: Symphony № 101
00 Vermeulen: Symphony № 2, Prélude à la nouvelle journée

[Conor71]

After mc ukrneal


Shosty 5 +3
Rach 2 +1
Beethoven 2 -2




15 Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 In D Minor, Op. 47
15 Mahler: Symphony  № 3 in d minor
15 Brahms: Symphony № 1
14 Beethoven Symphony № 2 in D major Op,36
14 Brahms: Symphony № 3 in F, op.90
10 Dvorak: Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70
08 Berlioz: Roméo et Juliette
08 Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27
03 Haydn: Symphony № 103
02 Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17 "Little Russian"
02 Nielsen: Symphony № 5, Op. 50
02 Sibelius Symphony №1 in E minor, Op. 39
02 Franck: Symphony in D minor, M48
02 Prokofiev: Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op.44
02 Saint-Saëns: Symphony № 3 in C minor, op.78 "avec orgue"
02 Mozart: Symphony No.38 "Prague"
01 Mozart: Symphony № 41 in C major, K.551 "Jupiter"
01 Schubert: Symphony № 3
01 Shostakovich: Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op.10
00 Haydn: Symphony № 101
00 Vermeulen: Symphony № 2, Prélude à la nouvelle journée

[mszczuj]

After: Conor71

+3 Beethoven Symphony № 2 in D major Op.36
+1 Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27
-1 Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 In D Minor, Op. 47
-1 Brahms: Symphony № 1

17 Beethoven Symphony № 2 in D major Op.36
15 Mahler: Symphony  № 3 in d minor
14 Brahms: Symphony № 1
14 Brahms: Symphony № 3 in F, op.90
14 Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 In D Minor, Op. 47
10 Dvorak: Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70
09 Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27
08 Berlioz: Roméo et Juliette
03 Haydn: Symphony № 103
02 Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17 "Little Russian"
02 Nielsen: Symphony № 5, Op. 50
02 Sibelius Symphony №1 in E minor, Op. 39
02 Franck: Symphony in D minor, M48
02 Prokofiev: Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op.44
02 Saint-Saëns: Symphony № 3 in C minor, op.78 "avec orgue"
02 Mozart: Symphony No.38 "Prague"
01 Mozart: Symphony № 41 in C major, K.551 "Jupiter"
01 Schubert: Symphony № 3
01 Shostakovich: Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op.10
00 Haydn: Symphony № 101
00 Vermeulen: Symphony № 2, Prélude à la nouvelle journée

[haziz]

After mszczuj

+3 Dvorak 7
+1 Tchaikovsky 2

-2 Shostakovich 5



17 Beethoven Symphony № 2 in D major Op.36
15 Mahler: Symphony  № 3 in d minor
14 Brahms: Symphony № 1
14 Brahms: Symphony № 3 in F, op.90
13 Dvorak: Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70
12 Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 In D Minor, Op. 47
09 Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27
08 Berlioz: Roméo et Juliette
03 Haydn: Symphony № 103
03 Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17 "Little Russian"
02 Nielsen: Symphony № 5, Op. 50
02 Sibelius Symphony №1 in E minor, Op. 39
02 Franck: Symphony in D minor, M48
02 Prokofiev: Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op.44
02 Saint-Saëns: Symphony № 3 in C minor, op.78 "avec orgue"
02 Mozart: Symphony No.38 "Prague"
01 Mozart: Symphony № 41 in C major, K.551 "Jupiter"
01 Schubert: Symphony № 3
01 Shostakovich: Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op.10
00 Haydn: Symphony № 101
00 Vermeulen: Symphony № 2, Prélude à la nouvelle journée

[Wanderer]

After: haziz

+3 Brahms 1
+1 Berlioz
-2 Beethoven 2



17 Brahms: Symphony № 1
15 Beethoven Symphony № 2 in D major Op.36
15 Mahler: Symphony  № 3 in d minor
14 Brahms: Symphony № 3 in F, op.90
13 Dvorak: Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70
12 Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 In D Minor, Op. 47
09 Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27
09 Berlioz: Roméo et Juliette
03 Haydn: Symphony № 103
03 Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17 "Little Russian"
02 Nielsen: Symphony № 5, Op. 50
02 Sibelius Symphony №1 in E minor, Op. 39
02 Franck: Symphony in D minor, M48
02 Prokofiev: Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op.44
02 Saint-Saëns: Symphony № 3 in C minor, op.78 "avec orgue"
02 Mozart: Symphony No.38 "Prague"
01 Mozart: Symphony № 41 in C major, K.551 "Jupiter"
01 Schubert: Symphony № 3
01 Shostakovich: Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op.10
00 Haydn: Symphony № 101
00 Vermeulen: Symphony № 2, Prélude à la nouvelle journée