Guess the composer!

[vandermolen]

The Westmorland Symphony (no. 3) is indeed a deeply moving work, with a troubled first movement progressing to a touchingly serene final movement. I would go so far as to say it is a masterpiece. I am less impressed with Gibbs' First and Second (Odysseus) symphonies. The latter work is rather sprawling and a bit too close to VW's A Sea Symphony (a work I don't think too much of in the first place) for comfort.

Totally agree with you. The Odysseus Symphony was a disappointment and rather conventional. I prefer Hovhannes's 'Odysseus Symphony' by far.

[kyjo]

Ernest Pingoud (1887-1942) wrote 'Prophet' a very powerful and atmospheric work. Coincidentally I have just returned from a visit to Finland where I bought a CD of 'Music and Silence' Finnish Symbolism, which features the work by Pingoud (not to be confused with 'Pingu' a British children's TV penguin character  ) 'Prophet' has a disconcerting similarity to the score from 'Star Wars' in places. There is an interesting Ondine CD of Pingoud's music.

Good job, guys! Perhaps I have made Round Two easier than Round One? Re Pingoud-I own that Ondine disc of some of his symphonic poems and find it to be enjoyable, atmospheric music rather akin to Scriabin. This disc got a lot of negative reviews, but I'm not sure why. I wish Ondine had gone on to record Pingoud's other orchestral works (including three symphonies and three PCs). Fortunately, all of his symphonies, PC 2 and his Symphonic Poem La face d'une grande ville can be found on YouTube.

So who knows no. 2?

[kyjo]

Totally agree with you. The Odysseus Symphony was a disappointment and rather conventional. I prefer Hovhannes's 'Odysseus Symphony' by far.

I haven't heard the Hovhaness in a while, but another Odysseus-inspired symphony which I enjoy is Heinrich von Herzogenberg's lushly Wagnerian Odysseus Symphony, which has been recorded by CPO. It's a shame von Herzogenberg turned down a more Brahmsian path after composing this hugely enjoyable work. There's also Nikos Skalkottas' Symphony The Return of Odysseus, which is a spiky, dodecaphonic work which I find difficult to grasp.

[not edward]

So who knows no. 2?

That'd be Henk Badings. Only 15-symphony composer I can think of other than DSCH, and the dates seem right.

[kyjo]

That'd be Henk Badings. Only 15-symphony composer I can think of other than DSCH, and the dates seem right.

Correct! I'll have to make Round Three a little more difficult :

1) American; best-known for his/her choral works but composed three symphonies
2) Latin American; composed 14 symphonies
3) born 1923; music influenced by Sibelius
4) late-romantic; composed the first Dutch-language opera
5) initials VS; his/her symphonies and other orchestral works were recorded by Olympia

[North Star]

5) initials VS; his/her symphonies and other orchestral works were recorded by Melodiya

Silvestrov?

[vandermolen]

Shebalin? Much admired by Shostakovich.

[kyjo]

Silvestrov?

Oh, yes......there is an Olympia (I meant Olympia instead of Melodiya in my first post ) disc of Silvestrov's Symphony no. 2 and other orchestral works, but I was thinking of Shebalin, of whose music there are several recordings on Olympia. That could still be a valid guess, I guess!

[classicalgeek]

Round Two:

1) known as the (insert nationality name) Bartok; much of his/her music has been recorded by CPO

I don't think anyone ever actually said... what is the answer to #1 from Round Two?  CPO has recorded a boatload of obscure composers...

For Round Three - would #2 be Claudio Santoro (Brazilian)?

[kyjo]

I don't think anyone ever actually said... what is the answer to #1 from Round Two?  CPO has recorded a boatload of obscure composers...

For Round Three - would #2 be Claudio Santoro (Brazilian)?

Well, Brian said he definitely knew what no. 1 (on Round Two) is, but, in any case, I'll give the answer....Adnan Ahmed Saygun, who was known as the "Turkish Bartok". You are correct in your guess of Santoro.

[listener]

1. Paul Creston (I listened to #s 2&3 just a couple of days ago  ?

[kyjo]

1. Paul Creston (I listened to #s 2&3 just a couple of days ago  ?

Creston composed six symphonies. You may have thought three because his first three symphonies are grouped together on that Naxos CD, but nos. 4 and 5 have been recorded also.

[vandermolen]

Is No 1 Randall Thompson?

[The new erato]

Is No 1 Randall Thompson?

That seems right. And might van Gilse be no 4?

[kyjo]

You are both correct. No. 3 anyone?

[The new erato]

Arthur Butterworth.

[vandermolen]

Arthur Butterworth.

Looks right to me. Butterworth's fine 4th Symphony quotes directly from Sibelius's 'The Tempest'.

[kyjo]

Looks right to me. Butterworth's fine 4th Symphony quotes directly from Sibelius's 'The Tempest'.

You are both correct.