Symphonies where the slow movement is the weakest

[vandermolen]

Randall Thompson: Symphony No.2
I like this symphony very much - it has a marvellous opening movement but the slow movement is rather 'corny' (to my ears anyway) like a soundtrack to a bad western movie.

[(poco) Sforzando]

I agree about Beethoven's 5th, but certainly not 6 or 9. And certainly not the Berlioz Fantastique either. I wonder what people's reasons are for these assertions.

[Jo498]

I certainly prefer LvB 5,ii to his 6,ii but the "scene at the brook" is rather unique, so I while I am not too fond of it, I respect it. Not sure if I prefer it to the 6th finale or other way round.

[kyjo]

Randall Thompson: Symphony No.2
I like this symphony very much - it has a marvellous opening movement but the slow movement is rather 'corny' (to my ears anyway) like a soundtrack to a bad western movie.

I know what you mean, Jeffrey! Nevertheless, I enjoy this movement quite a bit - a guilty pleasure. I agree that the superb opening movement is a hard act to follow!

[(poco) Sforzando]

Not a symphony, but I think the slow movement of Mozart's D minor piano concerto k466 is weaker than the outer movements.

[Jo498]

I agree, I never found the simple romance + stormy minore central section very convincing. I clearly prefer the slow movement in the c minor concerto although this is also a fairly simple serenade style movement but more colorful because more woodwinds and a bit more varied because a rondo not ABA.

And heretically, I don't like the famous middle movement of Beethoven's 4th pc that much although it is very original and a great contrast and probably could not be otherwise.

[Brahmsian]

Do not agree with Bruckner's 4th. I love that andante.

Ditto. For me, none of Bruckner's Adagios could ever apply here.

Some examples I can think of:

Beethoven - Symphony No.8 okay, mostly because there is no slow movement.

Beethoven - Symphony No.9 - A good time to take a 12-15 minute cat nap. 

Schumann - Symphony No.4

[vandermolen]

I know what you mean, Jeffrey! Nevertheless, I enjoy this movement quite a bit - a guilty pleasure. I agree that the superb opening movement is a hard act to follow!

Hi Kyle,
Yes, like Walton's 1st Symphony (a much greater work) none of the other movements are as good as the opening movement. However, I enjoy Randall Thompson's 2nd Symphony a lot.

[Iota]

Not a symphony, but I think the slow movement of Mozart's D minor piano concerto k466 is weaker than the outer movements.

Yes, I agree. From the first time I heard it I felt that way. The Concerto was my thrilling gateway to Mozart's music, but I was never really engaged by the slow movement.