Top 10 Symphony Slow Movements

[André]

Re: Mahler 3. Which movement do you consider is the slow one, Brian ? I have a feeling you think of the last, yes ? To me the oasis of repose in the work is the 'O Mensch'  (4th movement), not the Adagio finale. Conversely, in the 9th I think the slow movement is the last, as there is no slow middle movement. Some might think there is no slow movement per se in that work, though. 

[Brian]

Re: Mahler 3. Which movement do you consider is the slow one, Brian ? I have a feeling you think of the last, yes ? To me the oasis of repose in the work is the 'O Mensch'  (4th movement), not the Adagio finale. Conversely, in the 9th I think the slow movement is the last, as there is no slow middle movement. Some might think there is no slow movement per se in that work, though. 

whoops, I should have said, yes - the last.

[Symphonic Addict]

Time for an update:

Korngold: Symphony in F sharp
Bruckner: Symphony No. 7
Mahler: Symphony No. 6
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5
Elgar: Symphony No. 2
Schmidt: Symphony No. 4
Myaskovsky: Symphony No. 27
Glazunov: Symphony No. 2 (or Symphony No. 8 )
Sibelius: Symphony No. 1
Moeran: Symphony in G minor

[vandermolen]

Time for an update:

Korngold: Symphony in F sharp
Bruckner: Symphony No. 7
Mahler: Symphony No. 6
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5
Elgar: Symphony No. 2
Schmidt: Symphony No. 4
Myaskovsky: Symphony No. 27
Glazunov: Symphony No. 2 (or Symphony No. 8 )
Sibelius: Symphony No. 1
Moeran: Symphony in G minor

Nice list Cesar - I also find the Moeran very moving.

[vandermolen]

OK, let's have another go:

Tubin: Symphony No.5
Prokofiev: Symphony No.5
Atterberg: Symphony No.8
Walton: Symphony No.2
Khachaturian: Symphony No.2
Miaskovsky: Symphony No.17
Gordon Jacob: Symphony No.1 (in memory of his brother killed in the First World War)
Samuel Barber: Symphony No.2 'Night Flight'
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No.8
Rootham: Symphony No.1

I've tried to avoid repeating my earlier choices.

[Maestro267]

In no order other than the one I think of them:


Korngold - Symphony in F sharp (III)
Bruckner - Symphony No. 8 (III)
Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 1 (II)
Shostakovich - Symphony No. 11 (III)
Mahler - Symphony No. 9 (IV)
Elgar - Symphony No. 2 (II)
Myaskovsky - Symphony No. 27 (II)
Atterberg - Symphony No. 2 (II)
Rachmaninov - Symphony No. 2 (III)
Villa-Lobos - Symphony No. 3 (III)

[kyjo]

Today's list:

Alfven 3
Andreae in C
Arnold 5
Atterberg 4
Braga Santos 2
Bruckner 9
Dvorak 7
Lloyd 6
Prokofiev 5
Vaughan Williams 2

As always, impossible to choose just 10!

I'm still quite content with this list, although I think I'll replace Atterberg 4 with 2 and Lloyd 6 with 5 (IV.Lamento). Also, I'll throw in Schmidt 4 instead of Bruckner 9 and Rachmaninoff 2 instead of Arnold 5. I don't feel too bad for leaving the Korngold Symphony off since multiple other members have included it.

[lunar22]

ten is far too few but below are some of my favourites: 

Bruckner 6
Bruckner 9
Mahler 10
Brincken 4
Rachmaninov 2
Schmidt 2 (2nd movemement -- OK not slow throughout but could be replaced with Schmidt 4 if necessary)
Shosty 15
Alfven 2
Arnold 2
Dvorak 6

[kyjo]

ten is far too few but below are some of my favourites: 

Bruckner 6
Bruckner 9
Mahler 10
Brincken 4
Rachmaninov 2
Schmidt 2 (2nd movemement -- OK not slow throughout but could be replaced with Schmidt 4 if necessary)
Shosty 15
Alfven 2
Arnold 2
Dvorak 6

Inspired choices! I recall the deeply-felt slow movement of the Brincken definitely being the highlight of that work. I'd replace Alfven 2 with 3 and Dvorak 6 with 7 or 8.

[lunar22]

well, I already wrote something on Alfven 3 and I know exactly what you mean! It's virtually a toss up between Dvorak 6 and 7 but as 7 is generally recognised as his masterpiece, I thought I'd just be awkward.

[vandermolen]

Let's have another go

Tovey: Symphony
Prokofiev: Symphony 5
Bruckner: Symphony No.9
Mahler: Symphony No.9
NYM: Symphony No.27
Tubin: Symphony No.5
Roy Harris: Symphony No.6 'Gettysburg'
Piston: Symphony No.2
VW: Symphony No.6 (Finale)
Popov: Symphony No.2 'Motherland'

[kyjo]

Let's have another go

Tovey: Symphony
Prokofiev: Symphony 5
Bruckner: Symphony No.9
Mahler: Symphony No.9
NYM: Symphony No.27
Tubin: Symphony No.5
Roy Harris: Symphony No.6 'Gettysburg'
Piston: Symphony No.2
VW: Symphony No.6 (Finale)
Popov: Symphony No.2 'Motherland'

Nice list, Jeffrey, especially the Prokofiev and Piston selections. Tovey's symphony really needs a more convincing recording than the one it receieves on Toccata Classics, IMHO.

[Keemun]

Here's my list, in alphabetical order:

Beethoven 3
Bruckner 7
Bruckner 8
Bruckner 9
Mahler 5
Rachmaninov 2
Saint Saens 3
Schmidt 4
Tchaikovsky 6
Vaughan Williams 5

[foxandpeng]

I can't do this one. You guys are too clever for me...