The Great American Symphony

[Mirror Image]

yes, I've become very fond of #s 9 and 10, as well...

Schuman's 10th is a favorite, but I'm less impressed with his 9th. I suppose it's general tone isn't really that appealing to me, but it's been awhile since I've listened to the work, but I've heard it maybe 3-4 times and I remember being put off by it with each successive listen.

[Heck148]

Schuman's 10th is a favorite, but I'm less impressed with his 9th. I suppose it's general tone isn't really that appealing to me, but it's been awhile since I've listened to the work,

The theme of it is definitely not happy - a Nazi atrocity committed in Italy..."Ardeatine Caves"
A Schuman favorite that gets much program time is "New England Triptych"...neat piece, very effective...

[Mirror Image]

The theme of it is definitely not happy - a Nazi atrocity committed in Italy..."Ardeatine Caves"
A Schuman favorite that gets much program time is "New England Triptych"...neat piece, very effective...

Yes, the subject is anything but a pleasant one, but the question I have is this general grim symphonic outlook varied enough to make it a piece of music I want to hear again? I heard it several times to see if I could 'unlock' it and I've failed each time. If you enjoy it, that's great, but I need a bit more musical/emotional variety, especially in a symphony. Yes, New England Triptych is a great work. One of my favorite's from Schuman actually. Outside of the symphonies, Crendendum, New England Triptych, A Prayer in a Time of War, and Undertow are firm favorites.

[Karl Henning]

yes, I've become very fond of #s 9 and 10, as well...

A strong set!

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[Karl Henning]

Specifically, I do think very highly of the Ninth.

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[jochanaan]

I see I should make a special effort to hear William Schuman's other symphonies!  I am fond of his music anyway, but the only symphony of his I know is #8--and it's a great one.  I have played his setting of Chester in band; very fun!

[Heck148]

I see I should make a special effort to hear William Schuman's other symphonies!  I am fond of his music anyway, but the only symphony of his I know is #8--and it's a great one.  I have played his setting of Chester in band; very fun!

Schuman #8 is very good - his last symphonies are quite strong - #9 "Ardeatine Caves", #10 "American Muse"...

if you've not heard #3 - you're in for a treat - If you can - get Bernstein/NYPO I [1960], or Slatkin/CSO [1986; Archive Set "CSO in 20th Century"] - both terrific  performances - "pedal to the metal" stuff - very powerful.
It's a real trip - the conclusion of Part I [mvts 1,2] is really hair-raising - one of the greatest orchestral sonorities - crank up the volume!! - from the roof-rattling timpani solo on to the end....
the very end of the work is very high-powered as well - esp Slatkin/CSO

[amw]

I dug this up on Qobuz (unfortunately their cover is wrong) in preference to my own files, which are 256kbps AAC and which I'll replace with a CD some day, probably.



Re-acquaintance with Schuman's 3rd via Bernstein did not leave much of a renewed impression on me, but his Violin Concerto is altogether a more interesting, less bombastic and more emotionally ambiguous work, as I recalled. Perhaps it's the Great American Violin Concerto? >_> (Probably not seeing as there's Barber, Carter, Rochberg, Schoenberg, Bloch and Korngold, and maybe others. But it's certainly a very good one and worth hearing.)

[The new erato]

but his Violin Concerto is altogether a more interesting, less bombastic and more emotionally ambiguous work, as I recalled. Perhaps it's the Great American Violin Concerto? >_> (Probably not seeing as there's Barber, Carter, Rochberg, Schoenberg, Bloch and Korngold, and maybe others. But it's certainly a very good one and worth hearing.)

..my favorite for the title as well though you left out Bernstein's Serenade, a strong contender.

[Scion7]

if you've not heard #3 - you're in for a treat - If you can - get Bernstein/NYPO I [1960]

The Bernstein, without doubt.

[Heck148]

The Bernstein, without doubt.

great recording, my long-time favorite - until - I acquired the Slatkin/CSO from '86 - part of CSO Archival Set - <<CSO in 20th Century>>
Love both recordings, wouldn't want to be without either.
Both orchestras really have that full-bore horsepower and virtuosity to deliver this work to best effect...both Bernstein and Slatkin seem to have this work in their blood - very convincing interpretations.
Lenny's later version ['85] - again - NYPO for DG is good, but not up to the earlier one.
I've not heard Schwarz/Seattle

[Maestro267]

Tonight I've listened for the first time to the four numbered symphonies of Charles Ives. All are very enjoyable works, from the Dvorákian 1st, through the American-tune-filled 2nd, the chamber-like 3rd and then the epic 4th Symphony.

[vandermolen]

Tonight I've listened for the first time to the four numbered symphonies of Charles Ives. All are very enjoyable works, from the Dvorákian 1st, through the American-tune-filled 2nd, the chamber-like 3rd and then the epic 4th Symphony.

I agree. I've been listening to William Schuman's Symphony 3 (Bernstein) which has to be one of the greatest American symphonies.

[Monsieur Croche]

I'm convinced that Ives' 4th is a real contender to be included in the symphonic repertoire for a long time to come, if that is the measure of "greatness."

Thread duty done now, I think anyone unaware of it in this quest  should do themselves a large favor and get familiar with...

Lucas Foss: Symphony of Chorales (Symphony No. 2)
Foss is the only immigrant / became American I can consider 'American.' Though a prodigy with some impressive training prior arriving in the states at the ripe age of seventeen, thereafter he was immersed in teachers and schools in the states. While inevitably (due to historic events of those times) many of those teachers were also immigrants, his training as a young man through his adult years was very American, including being one of that group called 'the Boston Six.'

At any rate, one Very Fine and durable piece, this....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU1p4Em0hzQ


Best regards.

[Karl Henning]

I'm convinced that Ives' 4th is a real contender to be included in the symphonic repertoire for a long time to come, if that is the measure of "greatness."

Agreed.

[Simula]

I'm glad to see so much affirmation of Schuman on this thread, he was certainly a worthy composer, dear god did he ever write some beautiful adagios. I'm not sure what I would label as my favorite American symphony. This is a tough question. Is probably a toss up between Schuman and Ives.

[Karl Henning]

(* hopes Ken B is not looking *)

http://www.youtube.com/v/a4v0Wyrf0N4

[(poco) Sforzando]

(* hopes Ken B is not looking *)

Good heavens, why? I thought the Mennin 7 one of the strongest American symphonies I encountered while I was doing some listening in response to this thread 2-3 months ago. I should want to know more about Foss, too, if for no other reason than I know his daughter. (She appears in the Glenn Gould movie "Genius Within," which in part is how Foss's wife had a 5-year affair with Gould and schlepped the children up to Toronto.)

[Karl Henning]

Good heavens, why?

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

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[Karl Henning]

And I agree: the Mennin Seventh is superb.

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