The Worst First!

Started by Cato, December 11, 2007, 11:29:07 AM

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m_gigena

#20
Quote from: karlhenning on December 11, 2007, 12:22:47 PM
I must say that I remain in entire ignorance of Gounod's First . . . .

Now you also know there's at least a second.






EDIT: That being said, I'll check Amazon.com to order Debussy's second rhapsody for clarinet.

Valentino

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karlhenning

Quote from: Manuel on December 11, 2007, 12:23:56 PM
Now you also know there's at least a second.

Yikes, and five recordings of each available at Arkivmusic.com!


Quote from: ManuelEDIT: That being said, I'll check Amazon.com to order Debussy's second rhapsody for clarinet.

That is a lovely, lovely piece.

karlhenning


BachQ


jochanaan

Quote from: karlhenning on December 11, 2007, 12:22:47 PM
I must say that I remain in entire ignorance of Gounod's First . . . .
You're not missing anything of substance. :-\
Imagination + discipline = creativity

BachQ


karlhenning


not edward

I don't know any truly awful first symphonies by significant composers, but Ives' and Carter's first symphonies are certainly unrepresentative of their mature style.

I confess to finding Scriabin's first symphony a total bore, so I'll nominate it.
"I don't at all mind actively disliking a piece of contemporary music, but in order to feel happy about it I must consciously understand why I dislike it. Otherwise it remains in my mind as unfinished business."
-- Aaron Copland, The Pleasures of Music

Wanderer

Quote from: edward on December 11, 2007, 12:31:19 PM
I confess to finding Scriabin's first symphony a total bore, so I'll nominate it.

And yet, that first movement is so lovely. He ought to have stopped there, perhaps...  ;D

And does anyone truly like Rachmaninov's First?

karlhenning

Quote from: Wanderer on December 11, 2007, 12:40:57 PM
And does anyone truly like Rachmaninov's First?

I should give that a listen . . . .

greg

Quote from: karlhenning on December 11, 2007, 12:22:47 PM
I must say that I remain in entire ignorance of Gounod's First . . . .
somehow that seems like a blessing
(me too)

BachQ


Wanderer

Quote from: karlhenning on December 11, 2007, 12:42:39 PM
I should give that a listen . . . .

It's truly tragic... in multiple ways.

Morigan

Rachmaninov's first was a total flop (but, as we all know, that happened at the premiere of many, many good works)

Personally, I can't sit through the finale of Dvorak's first. I get too annoyed.

BachQ

Quote from: Wanderer on December 11, 2007, 12:44:09 PM
It's truly tragic... in multiple ways.

And it's in D Minor ......

Wanderer

Quote from: D Minor on December 11, 2007, 12:45:35 PM
And it's in D Minor ......

That's the least of its tragedies.  :)

Cato

The Rach is always awesome, even when he's awry: the First is repetitious and is full of preening adolescent Todesangst mixed with 20-something tragedy.

But I don't mind!    0:)

And should we wonder about C.M. von Weber, Mendelssohn, and Wagner in this topic?
"Meet Miss Ruth Sherwood, from Columbus, Ohio, the Middle of the Universe!"

- Brian Aherne introducing Rosalind Russell in  My Sister Eileen (1942)

jochanaan

Quote from: Wanderer on December 11, 2007, 12:40:57 PM
...And does anyone truly like Rachmaninov's First?
YES!!  It's intense and atmospheric, and the ending is a great musical tragic catharsis, almost on a Mahlerian level.
Quote from: Cato on December 11, 2007, 12:52:18 PM
And should we wonder about C.M. von Weber, Mendelssohn, and Wagner in this topic?
I've heard them all, and none of them are at all in the running for "wurst." ;) Weber's is theatrical and dramatic in the best senses; Mendelssohn's is lots of fun and beautifully crafted, like all his other music; and Wagner's, while by no means his best work, has some real substance.  (Always IMHO.)
Imagination + discipline = creativity

EmpNapoleon

Quote from: Cato on December 11, 2007, 12:52:18 PM
And should we wonder about C.M. von Weber, Mendelssohn, and Wagner in this topic?

No.  Well, you can.