Your Desert Island Symphony

[Symphonic Addict]

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

Yep-iriliii an outstanding human mind. 

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.

Good to know, John. Even though Tchaikosky is sometimes not represented in my list of 25 favorite composers, I regard him like an accurate orchestrator, a supremely fine tunesmith with lots of craftsmanship, and many emotions and moods interacting each other.

[Symphonic Addict]

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.

It receives my approval. The last occasion where I heard this crazy and genius work under Stokowski, I was blown away, and visceral suits perfectly. The another conductor also does a superb job, and the same goes for the orchestras.

[Mirror Image]

Yep-iriliii an outstanding human mind. 


Good to know, John. Even though Tchaikovsky is sometimes not represented in my list of 25 favorite composers, I regard him like an accurate orchestrator, a supremely fine tunesmith with lots of craftsmanship, and many emotions and moods interacting each other.

More than craftsmanship, being a fine tunesmith, orchestrator etc., his music stirs my soul and touches my heart and for this, I'm most grateful.

[Mirror Image]

It receives my approval. The last occasion where I heard this crazy and genius work under Stokowski, I was blown away, and visceral suits perfectly. The another conductor also does a superb job, and the same goes for the orchestras.

[Brahmsian]

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

Certainly can see why this would be a wise choice and I agree on your sentiments and reasonings of this choice. Very likely would be a Top Five Desert Island symphony for me.

HOWEVER, it is a crystal clear choice for the me, and the only choice if I can only pick one.

Bruckner - Symphony No. 9 in D minor

[Mirror Image]

Certainly can see why this would be a wise choice and I agree on your sentiments and reasonings of this choice. Very likely would be a Top Five Desert Island symphony for me.

HOWEVER, it is a crystal clear choice for the me, and the only choice if I can only pick one.

Bruckner - Symphony No. 9 in D minor

A fine choice, Ray. Bruckner's Symphonies Nos. 4-9 would definitely make it to my desert island if I were allowed more than one symphony.

[Biffo]

Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique - the first symphony I heard live and it brings back so many memories

[TheGSMoeller]

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.

Thanks, John. I don't really have a favorite performance of the 4th, I own so many and they all have something special to offer. The MTT/CSO was my first introduction to the work, and I still love the broad atmospheric tone of that recording, but so many more great ones have been released since, even the more recent from Morlot/Seattle and Davis/Melbourne are excellent and highly worthy of a purchase. Speaking of backbone and teeth, check out Jose Serebrier/LPO's version on RCA of the Fugue, that is a meaty interpretation. Serebrier drags the Fugue to over 9 minutes long and tells the trombones to not be shy, which that part is similar to Stokowski's.

[TheGSMoeller]

Haydn 49

Great choice! On Reddit's classical page there was a post of user's top 3 symphonies, I chose Ives 4th, Mahler 3rd, and Haydn's 49th.

[Symphonic Addict]

Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique - the first symphony I heard live and it brings back so many memories

The other day I heard the Munch recording (62) and wow. My view about the work changed radically. Now, I even find the Scène aux champs making sense to me. And the final movement is a stunner in itself: is it sinister and overwhelming, like a real witches' Sabbath.

[TheGSMoeller]

The other day I heard the Munch recording (62) and wow. My view about the work changed radically. Now, I even find the Scène aux champs making sense to me. And the final movement is a stunner in itself: is it sinister and overwhelming, like a real witches' Sabbath.

Is this the one with the 13 minute Scène aux champs? If so I agree, I like the lively feel to this interpretation.

[LKB]

Hmm.

Hmm

Hmmmmm...

This remind's me of Sophie's Choice, and just as that resolution would be beyond my capabilities, it is the same here. The only honest answer is: l am incapable of such a choice.

[foxandpeng]

RVW Symphony #2 'A London Symphony', in this version.

Tough decision, but although I currently place others higher in my listening preferences, RVW is the voice of the English symphony. Powerful, tuneful, narrative, evocative...

[Mirror Image]

Thanks, John. I don't really have a favorite performance of the 4th, I own so many and they all have something special to offer. The MTT/CSO was my first introduction to the work, and I still love the broad atmospheric tone of that recording, but so many more great ones have been released since, even the more recent from Morlot/Seattle and Davis/Melbourne are excellent and highly worthy of a purchase. Speaking of backbone and teeth, check out Jose Serebrier/LPO's version on RCA of the Fugue, that is a meaty interpretation. Serebrier drags the Fugue to over 9 minutes long and tells the trombones to not be shy, which that part is similar to Stokowski's.

Yeah, the Serebrier is a good one, too, but if cornered I'd still pick Stokowski. I also like MTT for a more modern reading. Dudamel is also surprisingly good.

[Holden]

Beethoven's Pastoral symphony. It's positive, has drama as well as beauty and the second movement is so relaxing. This has made me put on Reiner's recording. I also rate both Cluytens and Bruno Walter just as highly but Reiner has the best storm.

[Sergeant Rock]

My six favorite symphonies are

Brahms 4
Nielsen 3
Mahler 6
Vaughan Williams 4
Bruckner 3
Sibelius 5

so it has to one of these. If the boat to the island leaves tonight, then my choice is the Mahler, the Solti recording.

Sarge

[Mirror Image]

My six favorite symphonies areIf the boat to the island leaves tonight, then my choice is the Mahler, the Solti recording.

Sarge

And a wonderful choice that is, Sarge.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Like Fox, probably something by Vaughan Williams for me.

PD

[Mirror Image]

Like Fox, probably something by Vaughan Williams for me.

PD

[foxandpeng]

Like Fox, probably something by Vaughan Williams for me.

PD

😁😁