Alexander Gretchaninov (1864-1956)

[schnittkease]

In with the confession: I've never heard a note of Gretchaninov's music. Where do I start? He seems to have been very prolific.

[SymphonicAddict]

I've listened to the 4 masses, the 5 symphonies, and the cello concerto. The symphonies are pretty good, with a 'Tchaikovskian' influence. You could start with them. The mass I recall the most is the 'Missa oecumenica'. Also, I've heard the cello sonata, but it's not so memorable.

[SymphonicAddict]

Those are great or at least decent performances.

[vandermolen]

Symphony 4 is my recommendation.

[Florestan]

Those are great or at least decent performances.

Seconded.

For his chamber music which imho is excellent, try these:



Also recommended, his a cappella Easter sacred music.

[SymphonicAddict]

Seconded.

For his chamber music which imho is excellent, try these:



Also recommended, his a cappella Easter sacred music.

I have all those CDs (except the viola one), which I need to listen soon.

[vandermolen]

Am enjoying Symphony 4 (CD pictured above). It was composed in 1927 but sounds like it was composed much earlier.

[kyjo]

The only work I know of his is the First Symphony, which I found to be rather generic and unmemorable. Must give some of his other works a spin.

[vandermolen]

The only work I know of his is the First Symphony, which I found to be rather generic and unmemorable. Must give some of his other works a spin.

The Chandos CD with Symphony 4 on has the Missa Festiva choral work which I enjoyed more than expected.