The Great American Symphony

[(poco) Sforzando]

Oh, just because I seem to remember his finding Mennin something of an allergen.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

All the more reason.

[Karl Henning]

[Simula]

I am listening to Mennin No. 7. I am certainly enjoying, but is there a better recording?

[Karl Henning]

I am listening to Mennin No. 7. I am certainly enjoying, but is there a better recording?

The only other recording I know of is the Schwarz/Seattle, reissued on Naxos.  Which is certainly cleaner;  I have not done a close comparison, otherwise.

[asin]B0085AXTFK[/asin]

[Simula]

The only other recording I know of is the Schwarz/Seattle, reissued on Naxos.  Which is certainly cleaner;  I have not done a close comparison, otherwise.

Thanks. This is certainly worth purchasing.

[Karl Henning]

Aye, indeed!

[Simula]

I should say, anyone who finds Mennin No.7 agreeable would find Pettersson (who is not an American composer) to be far more powerful and original. He is truly an amazing, sadly obscure, composer (though I think this is now changing).

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

I should say, anyone who finds Mennin No.7 agreeable would find Pettersson (who is not an American composer) to be far more powerful and original. He is truly an amazing, sadly obscure, composer (though I think this is now changing).

He certainly has his fans on this board. There don't seem to be many live performances of his work, however.

[Mirror Image]

I should say, anyone who finds Mennin No.7 agreeable would find Pettersson (who is not an American composer) to be far more powerful and original. He is truly an amazing, sadly obscure, composer (though I think this is now changing).

What is it about Pettersson that is so original? I mean I like a few of his works, but, ultimately, find him to be quite the buzzkill, especially since there's not a lot of variety in his music. His 7th is the best thing he's done IMHO and that's because of the integration of those lyrical sections that seem to elevate the whole piece and give it accessibility.

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

Gosh darn is there no love for Coates at all?!?!

[Daverz]

What is it about Pettersson that is so original? I mean I like a few of his works, but, ultimately, find him to be quite the buzzkill, especially since there's not a lot of variety in his music. His 7th is the best thing he's done IMHO and that's because of the integration of those lyrical sections that seem to elevate the whole piece and give it accessibility.

How did the Swedish composer come up?

Was listening to the Bernstein Sony William Schuman 3rd earlier.  I have to admit that I don't like this recording.  Perhaps I just don't like the music, but I also find the this Bernstein recording too string heavy and a bit crude.  I like the Schwarz a bit better.  I unambiguously enjoy Schuman's later symphonies more (e.g. the 10th under Slatkin).

[Mirror Image]

How did the Swedish composer come up?

I should say, anyone who finds Mennin No.7 agreeable would find Pettersson (who is not an American composer) to be far more powerful and original. He is truly an amazing, sadly obscure, composer (though I think this is now changing).

[Monsieur Croche]

Gosh darn is there no love for Coates at all?!?!

True gentlemen
[and ladies, for that matter]
never kiss and tell.

[Monsieur Croche]

What is it about Pettersson that is so original? I mean I like a few of his works, but, ultimately, find him to be quite the buzzkill, especially since there's not a lot of variety in his music. His 7th is the best thing he's done IMHO and that's because of the integration of those lyrical sections that seem to elevate the whole piece and give it accessibility.

Amen, brother! Uber late 19th century romanticism with some fused modernisms, even with the somewhat admirable contrapuntal aspects, makes me think Nielsen married Shostakovich and Brahms, and that made for a very dull child indeed.

[Monsieur Croche]

How did the Swedish composer come up?

Well, I think it came up as a 'better than Mennin' comment, i.e. an assertion of taste preference for a non-American composer in a thread specific to... yeah .... American composers. Go figure. (You can take some people anywhere but out, while the internet has completely changed that, lol.)

[Karl Henning]

I should say, anyone who finds Mennin No.7 agreeable would find Pettersson (who is not an American composer) to be far more powerful and original.

I disagree;  from the Pettersson I have heard, my experience is the reverse (i.e., I find Mennin by far the more powerful and original composer).

Of course, we don't all hear music the same;  that is part of the wonder of the experience.

[Daverz]

Listened to the Mennin 7 in the Martinon/Chicago box yesterday.  Fabulous recording.

[asin]B00PCCWXPG[/asin]

[springrite]

And I agree: the Mennin Seventh is superb.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Yes, it is. I will give his 5 and 6 another listen next week on my trip. But I remember his cello concerto to be one of his best "symphonies" (with concertante elements). Hehee

I have 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

[Simula]

Well, I think it came up as a 'better than Mennin' comment, i.e. an assertion of taste preference for a non-American composer in a thread specific to... yeah .... American composers. Go figure. (You can take some people anywhere but out, while the internet has completely changed that, lol.)

Sorry I wasn't trying to derail the thread, just saw the chance to introduce people to more music.

[Monsieur Croche]

Sorry I wasn't trying to derail the thread, just saw the chance to introduce people to more music.

My apology if I came off as curmedgeonly (I am a qualified card-carrying member of that club, though, lol.)
That said, there is a wide latitude of what / whose work is considered obscure as per any individuals perception.


Best regards