What are your favorite Sinfoniettas?

[kyjo]

Strangely enough, I remember being quite underwhelmed by Prokofiev's early Sinfonietta. Perhaps I should give it another chance?

[Symphonic Addict]

Yes, you should! Even for its size and length, it's a splendid and charming work with the Prokofiev stamp on it.

[vandermolen]

Yes, you should! Even for its size and length, it's a splendid and charming work with the Prokofiev stamp on it.

+1
I first came across it in the EMI LP box set of Muti's recording of 'Ivan the Terrible'.

[kyjo]

Yes, you should! Even for its size and length, it's a splendid and charming work with the Prokofiev stamp on it.

Good to know, Cesar! Perhaps I just wasn't in the right mood the day I listened to it. I should enjoy it since Prokofiev is one of my favorite composers.

[Symphonic Addict]

Just was revisiting Martinu's Sinfonietta Giocosa. What a stunning piece. More than adequate to lift your spirits. It actually is a piano concerto in all but name. The role of that instrument is dominant through the work.

I seem to detect a regular rhythmic pattern in many of Martinu's works that makes me think he wrote the same piece over and over again. However, he managed to be so inventive that it doesn't matter in the end. I love his music.

[Mirror Image]

Just was revisiting Martinu's Sinfonietta Giocosa. What a stunning piece. More than adequate to lift your spirits. It actually is a piano concerto in all but name. The role of that instrument is dominant through the work.

I seem to detect a regular rhythmic pattern in many of Martinu's works that makes me think he wrote the same piece over and over again. However, he managed to be so inventive that it doesn't matter in the end. I love his music.

The blessing/curse of Martinů is the fact that he composed everything in his head and put it directly to paper. No editing was evolved. He never went back and re-thought a piece. Once it was finished, that's it. I believe this is pretty much the same for Villa-Lobos and Milhaud. But I find these particular composers a well of inspiration and constant source of pleasure despite each of their shortcomings, which, in this case, it would be scaling back on the workload and putting a bit more thought into some of the works before they're completed and how to make them different from the previous composition.

[Symphonic Addict]

The blessing/curse of Martinů is the fact that he composed everything in his head and put it directly to paper. No editing was evolved. He never went back and re-thought a piece. Once it was finished, that's it. I believe this is pretty much the same for Villa-Lobos and Milhaud. But I find these particular composers a well of inspiration and constant source of pleasure despite each of their shortcomings, which, in this case, it would be scaling back on the workload and putting a bit more thought into some of the works before they're completed and how to make them different from the previous composition.

That is an interesting curiosity I didn't know. No doubts he was a genuine genius.

And yes, those three composers were extremely prolific, but even so, their musical qualities are so exceptional and consistent that I would never get bored by listening to their music.

[Brian]

I seem to detect a regular rhythmic pattern in many of Martinu's works that makes me think he wrote the same piece over and over again. However, he managed to be so inventive that it doesn't matter in the end. I love his music.

There are some regular rhythms and melodic patterns, too (a long note, then a short different note a third or fifth down, then back to the previous longer one again). To me, it makes the first five symphonies, in particular, feel like a TV series where your favorite characters get put into different situations.

[Mirror Image]

That is an interesting curiosity I didn't know. No doubts he was a genuine genius.

And yes, those three composers were extremely prolific, but even so, their musical qualities are so exceptional and consistent that I would never get bored by listening to their music.

You and I are of the same mind in this regard.

[Lisztianwagner]

Zemlinsky - Sinfonietta Op. 23
Janáček - Sinfonietta
Britten - Sinfonietta Op. 1
Korngold - Sinfonietta in B Major

[Mirror Image]

Zemlinsky - Sinfonietta Op. 23
Janáček - Sinfonietta
Britten - Sinfonietta Op. 1
Korngold - Sinfonietta in B Major

Nice list! I should revisit the Britten, Korngold and Zemlinsky.

[Lisztianwagner]

Nice list! I should revisit the Britten, Korngold and Zemlinsky.

Instead I have to try Martinů's Sinfonietta Giocosa many of you mentioned, because I don' t know that composition. I listened to the Zemlinsky yesterday for the first time and it was absolutely brilliant.

[Mirror Image]

Instead I have to try Martinů's Sinfonietta Giocosa many of you mentioned, because I don' t know that composition. I listened to the Zemlinsky yesterday for the first time and it was absolutely brilliant.

So glad you've been enjoying Zemlinsky's music lately.

[Symphonic Addict]

There are some regular rhythms and melodic patterns, too (a long note, then a short different note a third or fifth down, then back to the previous longer one again). To me, it makes the first five symphonies, in particular, feel like a TV series where your favorite characters get put into different situations.

Since I'm not a musician, there are other elements in the music I can't put into words, but what you say makes sense to me.

[Symphonic Addict]

So glad you've been enjoying Zemlinsky's music lately.

[Olias]

Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges - Sinfonietta #2

I just arranged a youth orchestra version of the finale and got to know the work really well.  Only 8 minutes long but there's a lot in it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PSX9PizVZU&list=PLDBnumuuGWldUxnNqWXViVC8tpsissPZn&index=3