Top 10 Favorite Symphonies of the 20th Century

[kyjo]

Prokofiev 5
Casella 3

Those two came very close to making it into my top 10.....

[kyjo]

Vaughan Williams: 1 "A Sea Symphony" (This is merely the one I'm most familiar with; what I've heard of the others fascinates me, and I plan to explore them if I ever get the time.)

That situation should be rectified immediately, if not sooner! The Sea Symphony is actually VW's weakest symphony IMHO and nos. 4-6 are some of the greatest pieces of music ever composed and essential listening for any classical music lover!

[kyjo]

Well, since jochanaan "cheated", I might as well do so! Here's nos. 11-20 (in no particular order):

Casella 3
Prokofiev 5
Brian 1
Holmboe 8
Copland 3
Walton 1
Barber 1
Schmidt 4
Miaskovsky 27
Scriabin 3

[kyjo]

Hartmann 5th

Rather surprising choice, Karlo! I've always thought this jaunty, neoclassical work seems out of place with the other grim, angry symphonies. It's a fine work, but is blown away but nos. 1-4 and 6 IMHO.

[Mirror Image]

Rather surprising choice, Karlo! I've always thought this jaunty, neoclassical work seems out of place with the other grim, angry symphonies. It's a fine work, but is blown away but nos. 1-4 and 6 IMHO.

I personally don't think it's out-of-place at all. It's no more out of place than Symphony No. 4 written solely for string orchestra or even Symphony No. 1 written for voice and orchestra. Of course, the 5th is an homage to Stravinsky, so that's perfectly fine by me! It simply reveals another facet of this huge musical persona.

[TheGSMoeller]

Britten: Sinfonia da Requiem
Barber: No. 1
Elgar: No. 2
Glass: Symphony No. 3
Gorecki: No. 3
Ives: No. 4
Prokofiev: Symphony No. 6
Schnittke: No. 4
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 15
Vaughan-Williams: No. 9

I decided to only allow one piece per composer.

I figure I'm still good with this list, it's only been 9 months.

[kyjo]

It's no more out of place than Symphony No. 4 written solely for string orchestra or even Symphony No. 1 written for voice and orchestra.

Well, the musical style and mood of nos. 1 and 4 are largely similar to the other symphonies, regardless of their scoring.

[kyjo]

And just because I couldn't help myself, List no. 3:

Hartmann 6
Enescu 3
Diamond 2
Magnard 4
Bantock Celtic
Suk Asrael
Bax 6
Schuman 3
Szymanowski 3
Arnold 5

(Feel free to totally ignore me if you like! )

[vandermolen]

And just because I couldn't help myself, List no. 3:

Hartmann 6
Enescu 3
Diamond 2
Magnard 4
Bantock Celtic
Suk Asrael
Bax 6
Schuman 3
Szymanowski 3
Arnold 5

(Feel free to totally ignore me if you like! )

Was very pleased to hear the Bantock 'Celtic Symphony' live a couple of months ago in London.

Some more from me:

Lilburn:Symphony 2
Tubin: Symphony 2 'Legendary'
Vaughan Williams: Symphony 2 'A London Symphony' (1913 version)
Gliere: Symphony 3 'Ilya Murometz'
Shostakovich: Symphony 11 'The Year 1905'
Kaljo Raid: Symphony 1
Devreese: Symphony 1 'Gothic'
Sauguet: Symphony 1 'Expiatoire'
Stanley Bate:Symphony 4
David Matthews: Symphony 6

[kyjo]

Was very pleased to hear the Bantock 'Celtic Symphony' live a couple of months ago in London.

Some more from me:

Lilburn:Symphony 2
Tubin: Symphony 2 'Legendary'
Vaughan Williams: Symphony 2 'A London Symphony' (1913 version)
Gliere: Symphony 3 'Ilya Murometz'
Shostakovich: Symphony 11 'The Year 1905'
Kaljo Raid: Symphony 1
Devreese: Symphony 1 'Gothic'
Sauguet: Symphony 1 'Expiatoire'
Stanley Bate:Symphony 4
David Matthews: Symphony 6

Nice list, Jeffrey (yeah, you weren't expecting me to say that, were you )! When I compile my fourth list I will probably include the Lilburn, Tubin, Gliere, and Bate (though I slightly prefer no. 3) works.

[kyjo]

List no. 4:

Hindemith Mathis de Maler
Gliere 3
Bate 3
Arnell 3
Lilburn 2
Tubin 2
Britten Sinfonia da Requiem
Piston 2
Arthur Benjamin
Martinu 6

[jochanaan]

That situation should be rectified immediately, if not sooner! The Sea Symphony is actually VW's weakest symphony IMHO and nos. 4-6 are some of the greatest pieces of music ever composed and essential listening for any classical music lover!

I have heard 4 and was very impressed.  I've heard the "London" Symphony over the radio.

BTW, there's a story about Sir Thomas Beecham conducting the Pastoral Symphony.  At the end, before the audience could applaud or the radio announcer could say "You have been listening to..." Sir Tommy turned around and said, "A city life for me!"

[kyjo]

I have heard 4 and was very impressed.  I've heard the "London" Symphony over the radio.

BTW, there's a story about Sir Thomas Beecham conducting the Pastoral Symphony.  At the end, before the audience could applaud or the radio announcer could say "You have been listening to..." Sir Tommy turned around and said, "A city life for me!"

You're bound to be impressed with all the VW symphonies! Simply one of the greatest symphonic cycles ever composed.

Yes, I've heard that story about Beecham before. Witty chap, Beecham! But I can't quite forgive him for not liking VW's music......

[Mr Bloom]

Ives : holidays
Schnittke : 2
Szymanowski : 4
Del Tredici : An Alice symphony
Hartmann : 6
Sibelius : 7
Tubin : 2
Terteryan : 3
Atterberg : 3
Popov : 1

[kyjo]

Ives : holidays
Schnittke : 2
Szymanowski : 4
Del Tredici : An Alice symphony
Hartmann : 6
Sibelius : 7
Tubin : 2
Terteryan : 3
Atterberg : 3
Popov : 1

Very interesting list (with which I largely concur)! I don't believe I know the Del Tredici. The Terterian is a mind-blowing work-big, loud, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink, and unlike anything else I've ever heard before. Thanks for bringing it up!

[asin]B0000030X4[/asin]

Amazon reviewer G.D. was thoroughly bowled over by the work:

The masterpiece here is the third symphony, and I have quite frankly never heard anything like it. Infused with folkloric mysticism and an obsession with "single sounds", this music is thoroughly profound and expressive, almost on the verge of self-parody, and it bears few of the formal characteristics usually associated with symphonies in terms of form. But it is a howling surge of stunning power, containing agonizing blazes of pure force, and wailing, thundering, white-hot noises achieved by orchestral effects (incorporating folk music instruments sometimes sounding like toy instruments) resembling nothing else. I have rarely, if ever, heard anything as grippingly powerful as this symphony - it is the kind of music that simply keeps you at the edge of the chair (repeatedly kicking you around) from its very opening ritualistic timpani thuds and throughout the spiraling, howling finale. Still, the first movement, for all its unbridled cacophony, retains a certain textural and sonoric consistency (interrupted by almost ethereal solo parts for folk instruments). The remarkable second movement, however, is often barely audible in its subtle but unsettling microtonal figurations (and the third is again a shrieking surge of power). It is truly, honestly a completely remarkable work, and you will probably never hear its like anywhere else.

Hey John, you should definitely hear this!

[jochanaan]

...Yes, I've heard that story about Beecham before. Witty chap, Beecham!

I'm sure you also know the one whose punch line goes, "Try not to pay too much attention to the young lady..."

...Hey John, you should definitely hear this!

I will when I can!

[kyjo]

I will when I can!

Your name is John? Apologies; my post was directed at Mirror Image! There's too many Johns around here!

......but still check the Terterian out, of course!

[jochanaan]

Your name is John? Apologies; my post was directed at Mirror Image! There's too many Johns around here!

......but still check the Terterian out, of course!

No problem!  It sounds like something I'd like--big orchestra, lots of dissonance, extreme dynamics...

[Mirror Image]

Very interesting list (with which I largely concur)! I don't believe I know the Del Tredici. The Terterian is a mind-blowing work-big, loud, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink, and unlike anything else I've ever heard before. Thanks for bringing it up!

[asin]B0000030X4[/asin]

Amazon reviewer G.D. was thoroughly bowled over by the work:

The masterpiece here is the third symphony, and I have quite frankly never heard anything like it. Infused with folkloric mysticism and an obsession with "single sounds", this music is thoroughly profound and expressive, almost on the verge of self-parody, and it bears few of the formal characteristics usually associated with symphonies in terms of form. But it is a howling surge of stunning power, containing agonizing blazes of pure force, and wailing, thundering, white-hot noises achieved by orchestral effects (incorporating folk music instruments sometimes sounding like toy instruments) resembling nothing else. I have rarely, if ever, heard anything as grippingly powerful as this symphony - it is the kind of music that simply keeps you at the edge of the chair (repeatedly kicking you around) from its very opening ritualistic timpani thuds and throughout the spiraling, howling finale. Still, the first movement, for all its unbridled cacophony, retains a certain textural and sonoric consistency (interrupted by almost ethereal solo parts for folk instruments). The remarkable second movement, however, is often barely audible in its subtle but unsettling microtonal figurations (and the third is again a shrieking surge of power). It is truly, honestly a completely remarkable work, and you will probably never hear its like anywhere else.

Hey John, you should definitely hear this!

Coincidently, I just bought this recording as it's been under my radar for quite some time. Thanks for the reminder!

[kyjo]

Coincidently, I just bought this recording as it's been under my radar for quite some time. Thanks for the reminder!

Yeah, I think you'll really like that disc! Imagine a mixture of Leifs, Schnittke, and Ligeti and you'll have a slight idea what Terterian's music is like. I've never heard more primitive-sounding music.....