Top 10 compositions that you like but no one else does

[Karl Henning]

Thanks, too, for the historical reinforcement of the need not to write "paint-by-numbers" music — even though that makes the music "instantly accessible" to the listener.

[Jo498]

Very interesting comment; I should relisten to some pieces with this in mind. I don't remember enough about the piano sonatas, but in the clarinet quintet my favorite movements are probably 2+3. It is still a somewhat puzzling superposition of the romantic "fantasia" of the slow movement and the brilliant virtuoso of the rest.

Interestingly, Weber does employ some kind of free sonata form in the Freischuetz ouverture (probably in the others as well, but I know this one best). There is a short dramatic development of the main theme of the fast section. But then the "resolution" is not "worked" out, but simply breaks through after a general pause.

Still, I find especially the three famous ouvertures, the Konzertstück and the f minor clarinet concerto brilliant pieces that can keep my attention far better than his piano sonatas.

[vandermolen]

Pettersson Symphony No.9
Pettersson Symphony No.14
Schmidt Symphony No.3
Tippett Songs for Dov
Mahler Symphony No.8 (Even most of the Mahlerites hate this)
Havergal Brian Symphony No.4 "Das Siegeslied"
Delius A Mass of Life
Bernard Herrmann Symphony
Hindemith Pittsburgh Symphony
Sibelius The Wood-Nymph (melodrama version for narrator, piano, 2 horns, and strings)
Pachelbel Canon and Gigue 

Sarge

Agree with the Sarge about Pettersson No. 9, Bernard Herrmann's Symphony and the Sibelius work.

Also:

Khachaturian Symphony No 3
Parsadanian Symphony 2 'In Memory of the Commissars of Baku'
Khrennikov: Symphony 2
Bax 'Paen'
Vaughan Williams: Tuba Concerto (much criticised in James Day's biography of the composer)

[madaboutmahler]

Mahler Symphony No.8 (Even most of the Mahlerites hate this)

Sarge

Not me! LOVE IT! Find it hard to believe that quite a few Mahlerians hate it. Some of his most spellbinding music is in the second part I think, especially within the last 20 minutes or so.

[North Star]

Not me! LOVE IT! Find it hard to believe that quite a few Mahlerians hate it. Some of his most spellbinding music is in the second part I think, especially within the last 20 minutes or so.

Hi Daniel!

[madaboutmahler]

Hi Daniel!

Hi Karlo! Hope you are well

[Karl Henning]

Not me! LOVE IT!

Well, but of course, you're MAD about Mahler!   0:)       

[EigenUser]

Well, but of course, you're MAD about Mahler!   0:)       

MAD = MahlerAddictionDisorder

[Brian]

Vaughan Williams: Tuba Concerto (much criticised in James Day's biography of the composer)

David Hurwitz calls RVW's the only tuba concerto which deserves to be in the concert repertoire.

[jochanaan]

Not me! LOVE IT! Find it hard to believe that quite a few Mahlerians hate it. Some of his most spellbinding music is in the second part I think, especially within the last 20 minutes or so.

I agree, and I am a "Mahlerian" by any standards.  For once, here, he revels in the simple joy of music.  (Maybe I'm prejudiced; this was the first work by Mahler I ever heard... )

[vandermolen]

David Hurwitz calls RVW's the only tuba concerto which deserves to be in the concert repertoire.

I totally agree. James Day is quite wrong about it in his biography of VW IMHO.

[Sergeant Rock]

Perusing the Dvorak thread this evening, I'm sad to report another work I love that, apparently, no one else does: Dvorak Symphony No.1 C minor op.3.

I just tried the 1st earlier and it wasn't pleasant..

The First Symphony is simply not good, my least favorite Dvorak work, and I have nothing to say in its defense. I could forgive its length and verbosity if it weren't so self-serious, full of dramatic posturing and grandiose intent.

I disagree with both our esteemed members, and wonder if anyone else likes it.

Sarge

[NorthNYMark]

Perusing the Dvorak thread this evening, I'm sad to report another work I love that, apparently, no one else does: Dvorak Symphony No.1 C minor op.3.

I disagree with both our esteemed members, and wonder if anyone else likes it.

Sarge

I''ve only heard it once so far, but I recall enjoying it quite a bit.  I certainly liked it far, far better than the New World symphony, about which I simply could not get past the impression that a Hollywood western should be playing along with it.  I can imagine some people being turned off by what might be called a certain "gothic" atmosphere in the 1st, but that is probably what I found most charming.  IIRC, Brian also dislikes Brahms's first piano concerto, which also has a sort of "menacing dark clouds approaching" feeling, and that is one of my favorite romantic works.

[TheGSMoeller]

Perusing the Dvorak thread this evening, I'm sad to report another work I love that, apparently, no one else does: Dvorak Symphony No.1 C minor op.3.

I disagree with both our esteemed members, and wonder if anyone else likes it.

Sarge

Count me in, Sarge. I enjoy it quite a bit. What a bold opening statement that first movement makes.

[Karl Henning]

Perusing the Dvorak thread this evening, I'm sad to report another work I love that, apparently, no one else does: Dvorak Symphony No.1 C minor op.3.

I disagree with both our esteemed members, and wonder if anyone else likes it.

I do, too, Sarge, though I cannot yet speak eloquently for it.

[Karl Henning]

Oh, listen to Henning, so someday he can speak eloquently, eh?      

[Ken B]

Perusing the Dvorak thread this evening, I'm sad to report another work I love that, apparently, no one else does: Dvorak Symphony No.1 C minor op.3.

I disagree with both our esteemed members, and wonder if anyone else likes it.

Sarge

I do most definitely.

Of course you know we agree a lot Sarge. You are always right, I am always right; do the math. 

[amw]

I like the First Symphony too, and don't find its length particularly excessive.* Its finale is particularly enjoyable for me. Brian and North Star should take their unfounded opinions to the 'Top 10 compositions that you don't like but everyone else does' thread 

* what is up with people complaining about excessive length in a 40 minute Dvořák or Brahms composition and then turning around and praising an 80 minute Mahler or Bruckner one? do you have some sort of anti-beard bias?

[Florestan]

Count me in, Sarge.

+ 1. One of the greatest Firsts ever, period.

[springrite]

David Hurwitz calls RVW's the only tuba concerto which deserves to be in the concert repertoire.

Absolutely！