Composers who wrote only one symphony

[kyjo]

A few that come to mind:

Franck
Chausson
Irving Fine (Symphony 1962)
Arthur Benjamin
Dukas
Kodaly
Frank Martin
Bliss (A Color Symphony)
Korngold (though his Sinfonietta is a symphony in all but name)
Bizet (though Roma is sometimes considered a symphony)
Moeran (though I would count Martin Yates' successful realization of sketches of the Second)
Marx (Eine Herbstsymphonie-great work!)
Leifs (Saga Symphony)
von Hausegger (Natursymphonie)
Respighi (Sinfonia drammatica)
Shapero Symphony for Classical Orchestra (riveting work)
John Vincent (moving work)
Thuille
Mortelmans (Homerische Symphonie)
Syberg
Arriaga
Vorisek
Albert Dietrich
Messiaen (Turangalila-Symphonie-not a work I'm too fond of but still worthy of inclusion)
Vierne (NOT an organ symphony and a superb work)
Bohnke
Pizzetti
Marinuzzi
Hurum (excellent work)
Marek
Paderewski (Polonia-a great wallow)
Stojowski
Roslavets (Chamber Symphony)
Turina (Sinfonia Sevillana, although a completion of his unfinished Sinfonia del mar has been made)
Oskar Lindberg
Otto Olsson
Wiklund
Kreek (Setu Symphony)
Frederic Austin
Dunhill
Harty (Irish Symphony)
Somervell (Thalssa Symphony)
William Wallace (Creation Symphony)
Hugh Wood
Barati (Alpine Symphony-much better than that by Strauss )
Beach (Gaelic Symphony)
Farwell (Rudolf Gott Symphony)
Werner Josten
John Powell (Virginia Symphony)

So, what'd I miss? Any thoughts on these works?

[Brian]

You missed GMG cult favorite Hans Rott!

Technically John Adams has written only one work with the name "Symphony" (Doctor Atomic), though there are also two chamber symphonies.

[kyjo]

Webern, whose Symphony is one of the most profound pieces of harmonic writing ever.

In your opinion, of course! Even though I don't like Webern's music at all, I shouldn't have forgotten his Symphony.

[kyjo]

You missed GMG cult favorite Hans Rott!

Rott composed a Symphony for Strings in A-flat major. It's available on this CD (which I, oddly, don't own):

[asin]B0026IQTIQ[/asin]

He also left sketches for a Second Symphony before he sadly threw himself under that train.

[kyjo]

it says more in 9 minutes than the (mostly) mediocre & unmemorable stuff you listed. [/font]

*Refrain from saying something derogatory, refrain from saying something derogatory.......breathe in, breathe out........count to 10........repeat.......*

[Wakefield]

Next poll: Symphonies composed by two or more composers.

[Sergeant Rock]

Bernard Herrmann Symphony (1941)


Sarge

[kyjo]

Bernard Herrmann Symphony (1941)

Arghhhh.....why do I keep forgetting this one?

[Sergeant Rock]

Arghhhh.....why do I keep forgetting this one?

...I was wondering the same thiing.

Sarge

[kyjo]

...I was wondering the same thiing.

Much as I love it, it's difficult to see why.......

[kyjo]

Another one I forgot is Karlowicz's excellent Rebirth Symphony. Also, Gregory Catoire's Symphony in C minor (found on YT-excellent discovery).

[71 dB]

What about composers who wrote the same symphony over and over again? Does that count? 

[kyjo]

What about composers who wrote the same symphony over and over again? Does that count? 

I hope you don't mean Bruckner!

[Lisztianwagner]

Wagner's Symphony in C major, the only completed symphony of the great German composer.

[kyjo]

Wagner's Symphony in C major, the only completed symphony of the great German composer.

Indeed (though he did leave a first movement from a Symphony in E, I believe)! I really wish Wagner had written a symphony or two in his maturity! One can dream.....

[Lisztianwagner]

Indeed (though he did leave a first movement from a Symphony in E, I believe)! I really wish Wagner had written a symphony or two in his maturity! One can dream.....

Yes, that's right; also, Wagner originally intended the Faust Ouverture to be the first movement of a symphony based on the Goethe's play, but he never finished it.
Agreed, it would have been amazing if Wagner had composed other symphonies in his maturity! As a matter of fact, he expressed that intention after completing Parsifal, but....

[Sergeant Rock]

I hope you don't mean Bruckner!

Nah, he means Dittersdorf 

Sarge

[71 dB]

Nah, he means Dittersdorf 

Sarge

I'm not name dropping - you are! I show my middle finger to remarks like that.

[Mirror Image]

The very best of Wagner's very profound Orchestral Overtures & Preludes alone say more & absolutely level the vast majority of symphonies ever composed anyway.

Probably one of the most ignorant statements you've ever made, James.

[kyjo]

Nah, he means Dittersdorf