Nikolay Miaskovsky (1881-1950)

[vandermolen]

Going through the 27 symphonies (once again) was a rewarding experience. There's much captivating stuff along this cycle that reminded me of the importance of the composer on the development of Soviet symphonism, reflecting the situation and context of those times and also of himself, of course. Not all of his symphonies grabbed me as much as I wanted, but they were the minority. His sense of melody was an element I found striking and highly appealing, mostly in the slow movements where he greatly excelled.

On the other hand, some aspects that put me off a little bit were that a good deal of the passages in several symphonies meander and seem unfocussed; the recurrent gloomy mood that permeated some of these works, in some cases it didn't provide much contrast or variety in the musical discourse; the writing for woodwinds, which seemed somewhat uninspired in places and more given to the low registers.

If I ranked them, it would be something like this:


Excellent or the most consistent

16, 17, 18, 21, 23, 24, 27


Very good

6, 15, 19, 20, 22, 25, 26


Compelling

3, 5, 12, 14


Neither good nor bad

1, 2, 7, 9, 11


The least interesting

4, 8, 10, 13

Interesting list Cesar, which I largely agree with, although the sprawling No.6 is my favourite for its moments of profound beauty and emotion, which are more compelling as they break through the 'academic' surface (trio of the scherzo - that flute passage is one of the most moving moments that I know in all classical music) and the entry of the chorus at the end.
No. 8 has a very moving slow movement 'like a Russian Delius of the Steppes' according to one source. Apart from No.6, 3, 17, 21,and 27 are my favourites and I rate 12,15,16,22,23,24 and 25 very highly. I liked the new Naxos recording of 13 more than expected. 11 has its moments too. No.5 is highly rated but it is a bit too 'perky' for me; I prefer the all-encompassing pervasive gloom.

[foxandpeng]

Interesting list Cesar, which I largely agree with, although the sprawling No.6 is my favourite for its moments of profound beauty and emotion, which are more compelling as they break through the 'academic' surface (trio of the scherzo - that flute passage is one of the most moving moments that I know in all classical music) and the entry of the chorus at the end.
No. 8 has a very moving slow movement 'like a Delius of the Steppes' according to one source. Apart from No.6, 3, 17, 21,and 27 are my favourites and I rate 12,15,16,22,23,24 and 25 very highly. I liked the new Naxos recording of 13 more than expected. 11 has its moments too. No.5 is highly rated but it is a bit too ' perky' for me; I prefer the all-encompassing pervasive gloom.

Super, Jeffrey! Equally helpful. Again, another indication that Miaskovsky's mature voice has much to offer. I'm very much anticipating that the best is yet to come. I do know some of those later works from past listening, but hardly well enough to recall. I have little doubt that my love of the ominous and fraught may also be satisfied, from what you say.

Thanks for giving so many thoughts to help out the novice 😁

[vandermolen]

Super, Jeffrey! Equally helpful. Again, another indication that Miaskovsky's mature voice has much to offer. I'm very much anticipating that the best is yet to come. I do know some of those later works from past listening, but hardly well enough to recall. I have little doubt that my love of the ominous and fraught may also be satisfied, from what you say.

Thanks for giving so many thoughts to help out the novice 😁

A great pleasure Danny! After your marathon traversal of the symphonies you could investigate some of his other scores (if you don't already know them) here are my top recommendations:
String Quartet No.13
Piano Sonata 5
Cello Concerto
Violin Concerto
Lyric Concertino
Two Pieces for Strings (adapted from the middle movements of Symphony No.19 for Band)
The Kremlin at Night (only on You Tube)

[foxandpeng]

A great pleasure Danny! After your marathon traversal of the symphonies you could investigate some of his other scores (if you don't already know them) here are my top recommendations:
String Quartet No.13
Piano Sonata 5
Cello Concerto
Violin Concerto
Lyric Concertino
Two Pieces for Strings (adapted from the middle movements of Symphony No.19 for Band)
The Kremlin at Night (only on You Tube)

Thank you, sir! I know none of these 🙂

Have heard symphony 11 twice through today and am suitably impressed 👏

[Brahmsian]

I second the recommendation for the Cello Concerto (oh that first movement!) and String Quartet 13 or the string quartets in general.

[Brahmsian]

Today I'll listen to my newly arrived Pacifica Quartet Shostakovich set, specifically because it includes the Myaskovsky SQ 13.

[Brahmsian]

Listening now to the String Quartet No. 13 in A minor, although, through the Taneyev SQ.  It is about as red blooded Russian sounding as you could imagine. 

I noticed that the liner notes are written by Iosif Raiskin, who is the father of our resident Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra music director, Daniel Raiskin.

[Brahmsian]

Now listening to the poignant Cello Concerto, Op. 66

[vandermolen]

I should have recommended the eloquent Cello Sonata No.2 as well - one of his finest chamber works.

[Karl Henning]

Going through the 27 symphonies (once again) was a rewarding experience. There's much captivating stuff along this cycle that reminded me of the importance of the composer on the development of Soviet symphonism, reflecting the situation and context of those times and also of himself, of course. Not all of his symphonies grabbed me as much as I wanted, but they were the minority. His sense of melody was an element I found striking and highly appealing, mostly in the slow movements where he greatly excelled.

On the other hand, some aspects that put me off a little bit were that a good deal of the passages in several symphonies meander and seem unfocussed; the recurrent gloomy mood that permeated some of these works, in some cases it didn't provide much contrast or variety in the musical discourse; the writing for woodwinds, which seemed somewhat uninspired in places and more given to the low registers.

If I ranked them, it would be something like this:


Excellent or the most consistent

16, 17, 18, 21, 23, 24, 27


Very good

6, 15, 19, 20, 22, 25, 26


Compelling

3, 5, 12, 14


Neither good nor bad

1, 2, 7, 9, 11


The least interesting

4, 8, 10, 13

Most interesting, Cesar. I don't at present foresee knowing them so comprehensively myself. (I still haven't made a complete traversal, even. Back when I knew little more of Myaskovsky than lines here and there in Prokofiev bios (I first learnt of him in Harlow Robinson's generally good book) I tended to dismiss his music as "same gloom, different day," so at the least I am delighted to have heard so much genuinely excellent music of Myaskovsky's, and even better, morally, to have found that the early symphonies are rather better than I had at first hostilely appraised them.

[Karl Henning]

Super, Jeffrey! Equally helpful. Again, another indication that Miaskovsky's mature voice has much to offer. I'm very much anticipating that the best is yet to come. I do know some of those later works from past listening, but hardly well enough to recall. I have little doubt that my love of the ominous and fraught may also be satisfied, from what you say.

Thanks for giving so many thoughts to help out the novice 😁

I have mixed feelings: our Jeffrey has been very helpful in my shedding any Myaskovsky aversion, but as I look forward at the rabbithole, I kind of feel his hand pushing at my back

[Karl Henning]

Today I'll listen to my newly arrived Pacifica Quartet Shostakovich set, specifically because it includes the Myaskovsky SQ 13.

That very piece (and recording) was the thin edge of the wedge for me: Once I heard that, I knew of what great music he was capable. I do enjoy all his quartets.

[Karl Henning]

Now listening to the poignant Cello Concerto, Op. 66

The Cello Concerto is fabulous!

[vandermolen]

I have mixed feelings: our Jeffrey has been very helpful in my shedding any Myaskovsky aversion, but as I look forward at the rabbithole, I kind of feel his hand pushing at my back

HAHA 
There's no turning back Karl!

[foxandpeng]

I have mixed feelings: our Jeffrey has been very helpful in my shedding any Myaskovsky aversion, but as I look forward at the rabbithole, I kind of feel his hand pushing at my back

I have mixed feelings: our Jeffrey has been very helpful in my shedding any Myaskovsky aversion, but as I look forward at the rabbithole, I kind of feel his hand pushing at my back

I have mixed feelings: our Jeffrey has been very helpful in my shedding any Myaskovsky aversion, but as I look forward at the rabbithole, I kind of feel his hand pushing at my back

Ah, the soft, warm, inviting darkness, enveloping and beckoning, so sweetly and seductively... just go in, it will all be fine when you are inside...

[Brahmsian]

Now listening to the Pacifa Quartet recording of the 13th quartet.  Equally as compelling and gripping a performance as the Taneyev SQ.

[aligreto]

Now listening to the Pacifa Quartet recording of the 13th quartet.  Equally as compelling and gripping a performance as the Taneyev SQ.

That is such a good set!

[Maestro267]

Been using the revival of this thread as inspiration to revisit some of the symphonies I'm not as familiar with. After starting off with the familiar No. 7 I've since ventured into No. 18 and now No. 4.

My ranking is basically those I've established to be top-tier and those I'm not as familiar with yet.

My personal top tier currently comprises: 5-8, 16, 17, 24, 25, 27

[foxandpeng]

Been using the revival of this thread as inspiration to revisit some of the symphonies I'm not as familiar with. After starting off with the familiar No. 7 I've since ventured into No. 18 and now No. 4.

My ranking is basically those I've established to be top-tier and those I'm not as familiar with yet.

My personal top tier currently comprises: 5-8, 16, 17, 24, 25, 27

I really love 5, 6 and 7 today, having replayed each of them. 6 is perhaps top of today's pops from that trio, but I've also listened several times to 11, which I wonder isn't just as good.

12 next...

[vandermolen]

I really love 5, 6 and 7 today, having replayed each of them. 6 is perhaps top of today's pops from that trio, but I've also listened several times to 11, which I wonder isn't just as good.

12 next...

11 is very good and 12 has a lovely, characteristic NYM tune a few minutes in.