Eduard Tubin (1905-82)

[Scarpia]

My problem with Tubin is that just when the music is getting good, someone hits a tam-tam with a sledge hammer and I have to revert to hands-over-ears posture.

[lescamil]

My problem with Tubin is that just when the music is getting good, someone hits a tam-tam with a sledge hammer and I have to revert to hands-over-ears posture.

But I love tam tams hit with a sledge hammer! *big Christopher Rouse fan*

Sometimes you just have to let loose and enjoy something in all of its visceral nature. Not all music is supposed to be comfortable.

[Scarpia]

But I love tam tams hit with a sledge hammer! *big Christopher Rouse fan*

Sometimes you just have to let loose and enjoy something in all of its visceral nature. Not all music is supposed to be comfortable.

I like "uncomfortable" music, but there is a difference between a devastating harmony or a piercing orchestration and someone hitting a big metal plate with a mallet and drowning out a 100 piece orchestra! 

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

I like "uncomfortable" music, but there is a difference between a devastating harmony or a piercing orchestration and someone hitting a big metal plate with a mallet and drowning out a 100 piece orchestra!

Then you should try the 7th Symphony, which has no percussion at all until the finale, and then only timpani.

[Scarpia]

Then you should try the 7th Symphony, which has no percussion at all until the finale, and then only timpani.

Sounds like a good tip.   My recent exposure to Tubin was Jarvi's recording of 3 and 8:

[asin]B0000C3IA5[/asin]

[lescamil]

I like "uncomfortable" music, but there is a difference between a devastating harmony or a piercing orchestration and someone hitting a big metal plate with a mallet and drowning out a 100 piece orchestra!

I'm curious as to which symphony (and which movement, and which recording) you are talking about here. Maybe there's something like a balance issue going on in that particular recording, or something like that. I'm not at all up on my Tubin either, anyways.

[Scarpia]

I'm curious as to which symphony (and which movement, and which recording) you are talking about here. Maybe there's something like a balance issue going on in that particular recording, or something like that. I'm not at all up on my Tubin either, anyways.

See prior post.

[pencils]

Revisiting Tubin's symphonies tonight after too long a lay off. I appreciate all the symphonies, tbh, but was always a lover of 4, 7 and 10 in particular. Tonight, it is the bombast of 5 which is floating my boat.

[kyjo]

Revisiting Tubin's symphonies tonight after too long a lay off. I appreciate all the symphonies, tbh, but was always a lover of 4, 7 and 10 in particular. Tonight, it is the bombast of 5 which is floating my boat.

Any length of absence from Tubin's music is too long! I love his music, especially Symphonies 1-5. I admire the later symphonies, but the lyrical exuberance and Romantic passion and drama of the early symphonies is more to my liking than the gloomier and sparer later symphonies. Symphony no. 4 is a gorgeous piece with the same kind of pastoral (but not untroubled) lyricism as VW 5.

[pencils]

Any length of absence from Tubin's music is too long! I love his music, especially Symphonies 1-5. I admire the later symphonies, but the lyrical exuberance and Romantic passion and drama of the early symphonies is more to my liking than the gloomier and sparer later symphonies. Symphony no. 4 is a gorgeous piece with the same kind of pastoral (but not untroubled) lyricism as VW 5.

Pardon? I can't hear you over the banging percussion 

But very much agreed.

[kyjo]

Pardon? I can't hear you over the banging percussion 

But very much agreed.

You want banging percussion? Try Leifs' Hekla (or any of his orchestral works for that matter), Chavez's Sinfonia india or Glass' Concerto for Two Timpanists, all of which make Tubin 5's percussion part sound tame by comparison!

[pencils]

You want banging percussion? Try Leifs' Hekla (or any of his orchestral works for that matter), Chavez's Sinfonia india or Glass' Concerto for Two Timpanists, all of which make Tubin 5's percussion part sound tame by comparison!

I know the Glass and the Chavez, but the Leifs I have not heard yet. Probably a good thing for my ears at this rate 

[kyjo]

I know the Glass and the Chavez, but the Leif I have not heard yet. Probably a good thing for my ears at this rate 

Leifs was one of the most individualistic composers of the 20th century, a fact that he is very rarely given credit for. Perhaps his isolation from the rest of Europe (he was Icelandic) allowed him to create such individualistic music. Anyways, BIS has produced an stupendous Leifs series that I highly recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in 20th century music. Leifs was able to conjure up some of the most primal, volcanic sounds ever heard in his orchestral music. Despite its rawness and dissonance, it's strangely accessible music that I found immediately fascinating and appealing on first hearing. All that said, he was also composed music of icy, mysterious Nordic beauty. Do investigate this guy's music!

[lescamil]

I'll just throw this out there. Do NOT listen to Leifs' Hekla with earphones on. You will go deaf. Not an exaggeration. The same goes with the two other pieces I'd consider exceedingly loud (and great): Christopher Rouse's Gorgon and John Corigliano's Circus Maximus. They also make the Tubin 5th symphony percussion part look like nothing.

[kyjo]

Kalevi Aho's orchestral works have some great percussion parts (try Symphony no. 12 or Symphonic Dances), though they are not as ear-splittingly loud as some of Leifs' works. Also, James MacMillan really gets the percussion section going in some of his fearsome climaxes.

[pencils]

I'll just throw this out there. Do NOT listen to Leifs' Hekla with earphones on. You will go deaf. Not an exaggeration.

Hmm. I listen to everything with earphones 

Bleh.

[kyjo]

Hmm. I listen to everything with earphones 

Bleh.

Same here. Just listen to it at a low volume level and you should be fine (I hope). Whatever way you listen to it, it is an experience you will never forget!

[Mirror Image]

Leifs was one of the most individualistic composers of the 20th century, a fact that he is very rarely given credit for. Perhaps his isolation from the rest of Europe (he was Icelandic) allowed him to create such individualistic music. Anyways, BIS has produced an stupendous Leifs series that I highly recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in 20th century music. Leifs was able to conjure up some of the most primal, volcanic sounds ever heard in his orchestral music. Despite its rawness and dissonance, it's strangely accessible music that I found immediately fascinating and appealing on first hearing. All that said, he was also composed music of icy, mysterious Nordic beauty. Do investigate this guy's music!

I heartily second Kyle's recommendation of Leifs. The BIS series is essential listening IMHO for 20th Century fans. No doubt about it.

[Mirror Image]

My favorite Tubin symphonies are 1, 4, 7, and 10. I also love Kratt (complete ballet w/ Volmer on Alba a must buy!!!), the Piano Concertino, and Sinfonietta on Estonian Motifs. I also enjoy his Requiem for Fallen Soldiers.

[lescamil]

I also love Kraft (complete ballet w/ Volmer on Alba a must buy!!!)

It's actually called Kratt. Kraft is a great work by Magnus Lindberg!