Your Desert Island Symphony

[Mirror Image]

I'm not sure if this topic has been done before as I'm too lazy to check (mainly because I'm pretty tired from working earlier), but if you were only allowed one symphony to accompany you to the desert island, what would it be? If you want to elaborate on your choice, then please do so as a reasoning behind your choice is always "value added". Have fun!

My pick: Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74, "Pathétique"



Why not Mahler, Sibelius, Bruckner or Shostakovich? The reason is simple: this is one symphony I could listen to any time of the day or at any given moment and feel completely fulfilled both emotionally and intellectually. I always find myself hearing new things in this symphony and discovering a new layer or texture that I hadn't heard before. Also, just the emotional pull this work has on me is immense. I feel like in this symphony that I've arrived at my own life's conclusion. Powerful stuff.

[Brian]

Initial thought: Beethoven 7. But gonna have to spend Christmas Day thinking more!

[Mirror Image]

Initial thought: Beethoven 7. But gonna have to spend Christmas Day thinking more!

I'd rather spend Christmas Day eating the Italian dinner my mom has prepared, but also some festive music will be in order as well. But think away, Brian. Looking forward to you response!

[kyjo]

I'm not sure if this topic has been done before as I'm too lazy to check (mainly because I'm pretty tired from working earlier), but if you were only allowed one symphony to accompany you to the desert island, what would it be? If you want to elaborate on your choice, then please do so as a reasoning behind your choice is always "value added". Have fun!

My pick: Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74, "Pathétique"



Why not Mahler, Sibelius, Bruckner or Shostakovich? The reason is simple: this is one symphony I could listen to any time of the day or at any given moment and feel completely fulfilled both emotionally and intellectually. I always find myself hearing new things in this symphony and discovering a new layer or texture that I hadn't heard before. Also, just the emotional pull this work has on me is immense. I feel like in this symphony that I've arrived at my own life's conclusion. Powerful stuff.

Wow, I never would have expected Tchaikovsky from you, John! Then again, you tend to like works on the "dark" side of the spectrum, and Tchaik 6 certainly fits that bill!

As for myself, my initial thought is Sibelius' Symphony no. 2. I'm the opposite of MI in that the works I cherish most are those that have an overall positive outlook on life and the world, and Sibelius' 2nd and 7th, Dvorak's 8th, Atterberg's 2nd and 3rd, Braga Santos' 4th (to name some of my desert island symphonies) have that in spades. Personally, I can only listen to such tragic works as Tchaik 6 or Mahler 9 once in a blue moon because they are such draining emotional experiences for me. Of course, there are many dark moments in Sibelius 2, particularly in that imposing slow movement, but they are framed by music of such incredible joy and reflection of the beauty of nature in all four movements.

[Mirror Image]

Wow, I never would have expected Tchaikovsky from you, John! Then again, you tend to like works on the "dark" side of the spectrum, and Tchaik 6 certainly fits that bill!

As for myself, my initial thought is Sibelius' Symphony no. 2. I'm the opposite of MI in that the works I cherish most are those that have an overall positive outlook on life and the world, and Sibelius' 2nd and 7th, Dvorak's 8th, Atterberg's 2nd and 3rd, Braga Santos' 4th (to name some of my desert island symphonies) have that in spades. Personally, I can only listen to such tragic works as Tchaik 6 or Mahler 9 once in a blue moon because they are such draining emotional experiences for me. Of course, there are many dark moments in Sibelius 2, particularly in that imposing slow movement, but they are framed by music of such incredible joy and reflection of the beauty of nature in all four movements.

I'm not opposed to more jovial works of course! Sibelius' 2nd is a fantastic choice, Kyle. I adore this symphony. In fact, it was the first Sibelius work I ever heard --- the performance was Colin Davis and the BSO on Philips, which is still a long-time favorite of mine (Sir Colin's first cycle with the BSO was by far his best, IMHO). Anyway, I think one reason I'm drawn to darker music is because I'm a pessimistic person, but I try my damnedest not to be, but by nature I'm a bit weary of other people and kind of stand-offish, although you'd never figure this to be case if you met me, which I suppose is one of those wonderful contradictory things that I can't quite explain.

[Symphonic Addict]

This question is rather tough to me because symphonies represent my most cherished tastes in classical music and in music in general. However, for the purpose of the thread, I choose Nielsen's Symphony No. 5, Op. 50. This magnificent work possesses all what I want in a symphony: mystery, quirkiness, pastoral moods, tragedy, intensity, lots of struggle, sense of catharsis, unforgettable tunes, etc. A work of supreme creativity. I never tire of listening to it. Simply I can't.

[Symphonic Addict]

Wow, I never would have expected Tchaikovsky from you, John! Then again, you tend to like works on the "dark" side of the spectrum, and Tchaik 6 certainly fits that bill!

As for myself, my initial thought is Sibelius' Symphony no. 2. I'm the opposite of MI in that the works I cherish most are those that have an overall positive outlook on life and the world, and Sibelius' 2nd and 7th, Dvorak's 8th, Atterberg's 2nd and 3rd, Braga Santos' 4th (to name some of my desert island symphonies) have that in spades. Personally, I can only listen to such tragic works as Tchaik 6 or Mahler 9 once in a blue moon because they are such draining emotional experiences for me. Of course, there are many dark moments in Sibelius 2, particularly in that imposing slow movement, but they are framed by music of such incredible joy and reflection of the beauty of nature in all four movements.

I also was surprised by John's choice. His re-exploration of Tchaikovsky's music was fruitful, it seems.

The Sibelius is a fine choice. I like the journey this work represents, concluding with one of the most glorious endings I've ever heard in my life. Almost always it moves me to tears.

[Mirror Image]

This question is rather tough to me because symphonies represent my most cherished tastes in classical music and in music in general. However, for the purpose of the thread, I choose Nielsen's Symphony No. 5, Op. 50. This magnificent work possesses all what I want in a symphony: mystery, quirkiness, pastoral moods, tragedy, intensity, lots of struggle, sense of catharsis, unforgettable tunes, etc. A work of supreme creativity. I never tire of listening to it. Simply I can't.

Certainly a fine symphony from one of best Nordic composers I've heard.

[Florestan]

A toss between Mozart's 33rd, Haydn's 88th, Schubert's 9th, Tchaikovsky's 5th and Mendelssohn's 4th.

Impossible to chose, honestly.

[Mirror Image]

I also was surprised by John's choice. His re-exploration of Tchaikovsky's music was fruitful, it seems.

Very fruitful, indeed, Cesar. I've come to regard him as a favorite, although it's important to remember I had to huge Tchaikovsky phase when I first started getting into classical music. As with anything you love, you can rekindle the flame.

[Wanderer]

It could be either one of these:

Beethoven: Symphony No. 3
Schubert: Symphony No. 9
Schubert: Symphony No. 8
Schumann: Symphony No. 2
Brahms: Symphony No. 1
Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique
Sibelius: Symphony No. 5
Sibelius: Symphony No. 7
Debussy: La mer
Messiaen: Turangalîla-Symphonie

(...and the list could go on.)

Merry Christmas, everyone, stranded or not! 😎🎄⛄️

[ritter]

Nothing fancy in my case, I'm afraid: Beethoven's Seventh.

[Florestan]

Nothing fancy in my case, I'm afraid: Beethoven's Seventh.

You're ripe for the madhouse then, if you know what I mean! 

Bon Nadal, Rafael! 

Merry Christmas everyone!

[TheGSMoeller]

The American Godfather's 4th Symphony



Ives 4th has always held a special place in my heart, ever since I first heard some 25 years ago. I continue to be astounded and mystified by this beautiful work with every listen, still finding new tones and sounds. It's as if Andrei Tarkovsky and David Lynch worked together on composing a symphony, poetic and mysterious, and always full of life.

[ritter]

You're ripe for the madhouse then, if you know what I mean! 

Bon Nadal, Rafael! 

Merry Christmas everyone!

Happy Christmas, Andrei!

[Mirror Image]

The American Godfather's 4th Symphony



Ives 4th has always held a special place in my heart, ever since I first heard some 25 years ago. I continue to be astounded and mystified by this beautiful work with every listen, still finding new tones and sounds. It's as if Andrei Tarkovsky and David Lynch worked together on composing a symphony, poetic and mysterious, and always full of life.

I agree and love your pick, Greg! One of the great American symphonies as far as I'm concerned. Maybe even the greatest. Ives was so far ahead of his time that even Schoenberg took notice.

On a related note, what is your favorite performance of Ives' 4th? My choice would be Stokowski on RCA. I've always been astounded whenever I heard this particular performance. It's Ives with a backbone and teeth --- quite visceral.

[amw]

Haydn 49

[Daverz]

Mahler: Symphony No. 7 because it has no many fascinating subparts.

[Karl Henning]

Mahler: Symphony No. 7 because it has no many fascinating subparts.

Good choice.

[Symphonic Addict]

Mahler: Symphony No. 7 because it has no many fascinating subparts.

So, does it have some fascinating or weird parts?