Peter Mennin(1923-83)-a Great American Symphonic Composer

[kyjo]

Mennin is one of those American composers from my favorite generation of American composers that I have never got into. I just don't seem to connect with it in the same manner as Copland, Barber, Schuman, Diamond, and Piston. Of course, Schuman and Mennin were 'adversaries' if this is a term I can use to describe their relationship. I'm firmly in the Schuman camp.

Interesting, John. At the moment I prefer Mennin to Schuman, though truth be told I haven't heard a great deal of either composer's output. I know that Schuman and Mennin were both Juilliard presidents at some point, but I'm not sure exactly why they were adversaries - I'll have to read up on that.

[Karl Henning]

Likewise, I am apt to prefer Mennin.  But, my ears like Schuman very well, very well indeed.

[Mirror Image]

Interesting, John. At the moment I prefer Mennin to Schuman, though truth be told I haven't heard a great deal of either composer's output. I know that Schuman and Mennin were both Juilliard presidents at some point, but I'm not sure exactly why they were adversaries - I'll have to read up on that.

I'll let someone more knowledgeable on this topic respond, but I believe I read (somewhere) and don't quote me on this that Schuman didn't like Mennin personally and kept him from getting several commissions and Mennin thought of Schuman as basically an inferior composer with nothing to say musically. Again, I might be totally wrong and misremembering, but, as I mentioned, a member's input here that knows of this situation would be helpful.

[Karl Henning]

I'll let someone more knowledgeable on this topic respond, but I believe I read (somewhere) and don't quote me on this that Schuman didn't like Mennin personally and kept him from getting several commissions and Mennin thought of Schuman as basically an inferior composer with nothing to say musically. Again, I might be totally wrong and misremembering, but, as I mentioned, a member's input here that knows of this situation would be helpful.

I don't know, but whatever personal tiffs there may have been, we need not relitigate them  0:)

[Mirror Image]

I don't know, but whatever personal tiffs there may have been, we need not relitigate them  0:)

Oh, it's for personal amusement only. What another composer thinks about another makes no difference to me. I just like knowing personal stuff about composers. No harm in that of course.

[Karl Henning]

To be sure.

[cilgwyn]

It is No.5 on that Mercury disc, Jeffrey, coupled with the Ives Symphony No.3 and Three Places in New England and Schuman's New England Triptych.

I don't like making comparisons between composers-as I said above. I can understand you saying that Mennin's "work never moved me as much as.." because I don't think that Mennin is necessarily that sort of composer. However, Mennin's slow movements are, I think, a different story and are perhaps overshadowed by the ferocious energy and drive of the fast movements. There is a lot in those slow movements which does recall the influences on Mennin of the heritage of early polyphony as well as the Vaughan Williams of Symphony No.4.

Creston and Hanson are clearly different types of composers altogether-essentially romantics-and Mennin is different. He is nearer in tone to William Schuman-a composer for whom I have a huge admiration-but there is, perhaps, more surface brilliance in Schuman.

I don't think that Mennin is an 'easy' composer to fully appreciate and the later symphonies, especially Nos. 8 and 9, are certainly not 'easy' pieces but I urge anyone to give them some serious listening. The slow movement of No.9(played at Mennin's memorial service in 1983) is undoubtedly most beautiful.

Interesting! I like Mennin's slow movements. They are rather beautiful,in their own way. Pools of contemplation surrounded by all that ferocious energy. I find his symphonies quite power packed. But,yes! His slow movements are something else! I find myself appreciating his later symphonies,much,more recently. Particularly,the eighth,with all that apocalyptic imagery. I'll have to listen to the Ninth again,now,after reading this old post!

[pjme]

Here is the world premiere recording of Mennin's superb pianoconcerto.

Eunice Podis is terrific (slightly faster than Ogdon?)  and Szell & the Cleveland Orchestra scorchingly involved.
The overal sound is poor though. Too bad....

https://www.youtube.com/v/PXIPKnSOoOA



Eunice Podis

[Karl Henning]

Here is the world premiere recording of Mennin's superb pianoconcerto.

Eunice Podis is terrific (slightly faster than Ogdon?)  and Szell & the Cleveland Orchestra scorchingly involved.
The overal sound is poor though. Too bad....

https://www.youtube.com/v/PXIPKnSOoOA



Eunice Podis

It is one dynamite piece!