Eduard Tubin (1905-82)

[Mirror Image]

I do own the complete Kratt and have a feeling that I may have you to thank for it.

Very nice, Jeffrey. I thought I'd ask. I wish Järvi would've conducted the complete ballet, then we wouldn't have any use for Volmer.

[vandermolen]

Very nice, Jeffrey. I thought I'd ask. I wish Järvi would've conducted the complete ballet, then we wouldn't have any use for Volmer.

Definitely John, although I enjoy the extracts conducted by Jarvi, with Symphony No.5 I think.
That 'Complete Kratt' is in pride of place right next to me here. 

[Mirror Image]

Definitely John, although I enjoy the extracts conducted by Jarvi, with Symphony No.5 I think.
That 'Complete Kratt' is in pride of place right next to me here. 

Oh yes, Järvi did a fine job with the suite from Kratt.

[Symphonic Addict]

CD 1 out of 2 which includes two suites (one for violin and piano and one for solo violin), a sonata for solo violin and several short works for violin and piano. What I have to say is that all of this release is great and up to the expectations, there is not a single boring work, on the contrary, very tuneful and entertaining works, even the Prelude for violin and piano whose generic title would look few attractive is a quite lovely piece. Most of these miniatures stem from Estonian folk music. I enjoyed this a lot.

A self-recommending CD.

[vers la flamme]

Enjoying Tubin a bit lately, especially the 2nd, 3rd and 4th symphonies, but trying to keep an open mind to the later ones—I have 6, 8 and 9. All this is across three BIS CDs under Neeme Järvi, who makes a very fine case for his countryman's music. Wish there was more available. As it is, I'm collecting the BIS series here and there when I can find affordable single issues, rather than going for the box, which seems to contain not quite everything. I just ordered the disc with the 1st Symphony.

The 4th is likely my favorite, though it was a slow burn for me. It's a beautiful work.

I never would have discovered Tubin had I not found this disc at a local record store...:



Grateful for the spontaneous discovery of a fine symphonist.

Anyone else listening to the work of Eduard Tubin?

[Karl Henning]

It's a while since I did my Tubin not-quite-deep-dive, I need to check to see if I have the Fourth ....

[vers la flamme]

It's a while since I did my Tubin not-quite-deep-dive, I need to check to see if I have the Fourth ....

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts if/when you decide to revisit it, or his works in general.

[Mirror Image]

I bought all of those Tubin Järvi recordings on BIS individually, which is really the way to buy them as they contain couplings that were never reissued in the symphony box set came out a bit later. It's strange that BIS never got around to reissuing these works like Sinfonietta on Estonian Motifs, Kratt Suite, Piano Concertino et. al. Anyway, if you haven't heard the complete Kratt, then do check out this recording:



I haven't listened to any Tubin in quite some time, but I'm sure I'll circle back around to him in due time. Perhaps tomorrow.

Special note: Volmer did record all of the symphonies on the Alba label, but I never thought of his performances as being on par with Järvi. He did a great job in Kratt, though, but there's no competition for this ballet in its complete form. I'm sure if Järvi recorded the whole ballet, I'd be whistling a different tune.

[krummholz]

I haven't listened to Tubin in a while either, and since I bought the symphonies individually (Jarvi), I missed out on the 1st as it was out of print at the time. So with the caveat that I've never heard the 1st, I think my favorites are the 4th and the 6th, which are as far apart expressively as the corresponding Mahler symphonies. The 4th is so sensually beautiful, the 6th so dark, driven, and in places, outright violent! The others that I know are no less worth checking out... of the others my favorite is probably the 7th, which seems to take up where the 6th left off, and is more restrained and economical.

I agree that he was a fine symphonist, and it would be nice to hear other readings besides Jarvi's.

[vandermolen]

Enjoying Tubin a bit lately, especially the 2nd, 3rd and 4th symphonies, but trying to keep an open mind to the later ones—I have 6, 8 and 9. All this is across three BIS CDs under Neeme Järvi, who makes a very fine case for his countryman's music. Wish there was more available. As it is, I'm collecting the BIS series here and there when I can find affordable single issues, rather than going for the box, which seems to contain not quite everything. I just ordered the disc with the 1st Symphony.

The 4th is likely my favorite, though it was a slow burn for me. It's a beautiful work.

I never would have discovered Tubin had I not found this disc at a local record store...:



Grateful for the spontaneous discovery of a fine symphonist.

Anyone else listening to the work of Eduard Tubin?

Of the later ones my favourite is definitely No.10. I know that many people consider no.8 to be his masterpiece but I prefer 1,2,3,4,5 and 10. I think that the late music writer and critic Robert Layton, for example, found the finale of No.3 to be 'bombastic' but I don't agree at all.

[vandermolen]

I haven't listened to Tubin in a while either, and since I bought the symphonies individually (Jarvi), I missed out on the 1st as it was out of print at the time. So with the caveat that I've never heard the 1st, I think my favorites are the 4th and the 6th, which are as far apart expressively as the corresponding Mahler symphonies. The 4th is so sensually beautiful, the 6th so dark, driven, and in places, outright violent! The others that I know are no less worth checking out... of the others my favorite is probably the 7th, which seems to take up where the 6th left off, and is more restrained and economical.

I agree that he was a fine symphonist, and it would be nice to hear other readings besides Jarvi's.

I have the Volmer set as well. I prefer Jarvi but they are both excellent. You must hear No.1, which is rather neglected but is one of my favourites.

[foxandpeng]

I'm really grateful for access to streaming services which unlock the different Tubin recordings for me. I first bought the complete symphony set and then the single issues about 20 years ago for the coupling. I didn't explore any alternatives for a long time, so have enjoyed the chance to hear much more. I need to return to them soon, as like others here, I think he is very worthwhile.

[Mirror Image]

I have the Volmer set as well. I prefer Jarvi but they are both excellent. You must hear No.1, which is rather neglected but is one of my favourites.

I also think highly of Symphony No. 1. That first movement alone is like a miniature masterpiece.

[krummholz]

I have the Volmer set as well. I prefer Jarvi but they are both excellent. You must hear No.1, which is rather neglected but is one of my favourites.

Thanks for the recommendation! #1 is now on my "bucket list"...

[Mirror Image]

CD 1 out of 2 which includes two suites (one for violin and piano and one for solo violin), a sonata for solo violin and several short works for violin and piano. What I have to say is that all of this release is great and up to the expectations, there is not a single boring work, on the contrary, very tuneful and entertaining works, even the Prelude for violin and piano whose generic title would look few attractive is a quite lovely piece. Most of these miniatures stem from Estonian folk music. I enjoyed this a lot.

A self-recommending CD.

Thanks, Cesar. You remind that I need to buy this recording. Somehow it had slipped through the cracks.

[Karl Henning]

Thanks for the recommendation! #1 is now on my "bucket list"...

Mine, as well.

[Mirror Image]

I haven't listened to Tubin in a while either, and since I bought the symphonies individually (Jarvi), I missed out on the 1st as it was out of print at the time. So with the caveat that I've never heard the 1st, I think my favorites are the 4th and the 6th, which are as far apart expressively as the corresponding Mahler symphonies. The 4th is so sensually beautiful, the 6th so dark, driven, and in places, outright violent! The others that I know are no less worth checking out... of the others my favorite is probably the 7th, which seems to take up where the 6th left off, and is more restrained and economical.

I agree that he was a fine symphonist, and it would be nice to hear other readings besides Jarvi's.

I, too, have a strong preference for the 7th. I'd say my favorites are the 1st, 4th, 6th and 7th. To any potential Tubin listener out there in internet land, give this composer a bit of time to grow on you, because I do believe he rewards those who are patient.

[foxandpeng]

I, too, have a strong preference for the 7th. I'd say my favorites are the 1st, 4th, 6th and 7th. To any potential Tubin listener out there in internet land, give this composer a bit of time to grow on you, because I do believe he rewards those who are patient.

I second all that I have read over the last page or so. Tubin has become one of my constant touchstones, and I would increasingly push him toward the top of my 'must have' list. Symphonies 4 and 7, particularly carve out play space here, but I would agree that his whole symphonic oeuvre is first rate. No duds for me, as he has been one of those journeys that have been most rewarding for me in my slow, but growing understanding of serious music.

[Mirror Image]

I second all that I have read over the last page or so. Tubin has become one of my constant touchstones, and I would increasingly push him toward the top of my 'must have' list. Symphonies 4 and 7, particularly carve out play space here, but I would agree that his whole symphonic oeuvre is first rate. No duds for me, as he has been one of those journeys that have been most rewarding for me in my slow, but growing understanding of serious music.

Very nice. Outside of the symphonies, what would you say are your favorite works?

[foxandpeng]

Very nice. Outside of the symphonies, what would you say are your favorite works?

Back in the days of no downloads, having bought the complete symphonies, I remember going and re-purchasing the individual BIS volumes so I could get what I would have described as the 'incidental' music  . Works such as The Balalaika Concerto, Kratt, Estonian Dances,  were all early companions while I crawled out of complete ignorance to slightly less ignorance. For the sake of really quite happy nostalgia, lots of those works make me smile.