Your ‘Top 3’ Favorite Symphonists

Started by Mirror Image, July 27, 2021, 04:27:06 PM

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André


Christo

... music is not only an 'entertainment', nor a mere luxury, but a necessity of the spiritual if not of the physical life, an opening of those magic casements through which we can catch a glimpse of that country where ultimate reality will be found.    RVW, 1948

foxandpeng

Quote from: Christo on July 28, 2021, 10:45:11 AM
Vaughan Williams
Holmboe
Tubin

I'm tempted to agree. Although later I might not. I probably will, though. Any of the three would be in my top three at any time, I think, despite how others may nudge their way in. .
"A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people ... then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one's neighbour — such is my idea of happiness"

Tolstoy

Christo

Quote from: foxandpeng on July 29, 2021, 09:23:15 AM
I'm tempted to agree. Although later I might not. I probably will, though. Any of the three would be in my top three at any time, I think, despite how others may nudge their way in. .
Great to learn, was afraid to be laughed away because of these choices.  ;)
... music is not only an 'entertainment', nor a mere luxury, but a necessity of the spiritual if not of the physical life, an opening of those magic casements through which we can catch a glimpse of that country where ultimate reality will be found.    RVW, 1948

foxandpeng

Quote from: Christo on July 29, 2021, 09:38:44 AM
Great to learn, was afraid to be laughed away because of these choices.  ;)

In which case, I will be in good company  :)
"A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people ... then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one's neighbour — such is my idea of happiness"

Tolstoy

Mirror Image

Quote from: Mirror Image on July 27, 2021, 04:27:06 PM
Apologies if this thread has been done before as I did a search and nothing came up, but anyway who are your three choices?

Mine are (in no particular order):

Mahler


Bruckner


Sibelius


I'm going to have to change my vote...I'm substituting Shostakovich for Bruckner. Sorry Anton!



It seems that for the past few years Bruckner has been slipping away in my ranks and Shostakovich just impresses me more and more each time I listen to one of his works. He gets under my skin much more than Bruckner.

Symphonic Addict

Nielsen
Shostakovich
Beethoven


This was tough, actually, but rather fair as well.
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Mirror Image

Quote from: Symphonic Addict on September 25, 2021, 07:44:00 PM
Nielsen
Shostakovich
Beethoven


This was tough, actually, but rather fair as well.

A fine list. My own would be Mahler, Sibelius and Shostakovich.

71 dB

I only have two "top" symphonists and the third one is a bit tricky, but here it goes:

Sir Edward Elgar
Carl Nielsen
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

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Brian

Quote from: amw on July 28, 2021, 08:01:21 AM
Considered including Beethoven, but his symphonies are basically just Martinů's with less pianos.
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

vandermolen

#30
Tubin is high on my list as well as is David Diamond.
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

foxandpeng

Different 3 to RVW, Tubin and Holmboe:

Emil Tabakov
Per Nørgård
Pēteris Vasks

Tabakov is ridiculous. Potent, turbulent, disturbing, remarkable.
Nørgård is simply outstanding.
Vasks is Vasks. 'Nuff said.
"A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people ... then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one's neighbour — such is my idea of happiness"

Tolstoy

Mirror Image

Quote from: foxandpeng on September 26, 2021, 08:58:52 AM
Different 3 to RVW, Tubin and Holmboe:

Emil Tabakov
Per Nørgård
Pēteris Vasks

Tabakov is ridiculous. Potent, turbulent, disturbing, remarkable.
Nørgård is simply outstanding.
Vasks is Vasks. 'Nuff said.

Interesting choices, fox. I didn't know you liked Nørgård. I wouldn't say I'm a huge fan, but his 3rd and 4th symphonies are the ones that impressed me. I also like his 1st, which I know Jeffrey (Vandermolen) is fan of as well.

foxandpeng

Quote from: Mirror Image on September 26, 2021, 07:19:06 PM
Interesting choices, fox. I didn't know you liked Nørgård. I wouldn't say I'm a huge fan, but his 3rd and 4th symphonies are the ones that impressed me. I also like his 1st, which I know Jeffrey (Vandermolen) is fan of as well.

In many regards, Nørgård was an obvious branching exploration from Holmboe, but his whole world looks and feels somewhat different, obviously. Like you, I would name #1, 3, and 4 as really enjoyable works, but would include #5 as a particular favourite. That's not to say that I don't rate #2, and 6-8, because I do :).

Irrelevant to this thread, but his SQs #7-10 (no experience with the earlier ones yet), and the VCs and Cello Concertos are well worth time investment. Running at his Da Capo and Chandos recordings was a real eye opener for me some time ago. Doubtless you are well aware already. 
"A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people ... then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one's neighbour — such is my idea of happiness"

Tolstoy

Brahmsian

Bruckner
Shostakovich

Dvořák or Sibelius, I am not able to decide and glad I don't have to.  :D

DavidW

Quote from: OrchestralNut on September 27, 2021, 04:54:07 AM
Bruckner
Shostakovich

Dvořák or Sibelius, I am not able to decide and glad I don't have to.  :D

Rules are meant to be broken!

Pohjolas Daughter

Three only?! [Augh!]

Hmmm....Are tone poems included in the original posters definition?

Sibelius
Dvorak
Vaughan Williams
might have to sneak in Shostakovich here (Sneak, sneak)....

PD

Pohjolas Daughter

relm1

1. Mahler
2. Sibelius
3. RVW

Honorable mentions:
* Shostakovich
* Prokofiev
* Aho

Mirror Image

Quote from: foxandpeng on September 27, 2021, 03:50:16 AM
In many regards, Nørgård was an obvious branching exploration from Holmboe, but his whole world looks and feels somewhat different, obviously. Like you, I would name #1, 3, and 4 as really enjoyable works, but would include #5 as a particular favourite. That's not to say that I don't rate #2, and 6-8, because I do :).

Irrelevant to this thread, but his SQs #7-10 (no experience with the earlier ones yet), and the VCs and Cello Concertos are well worth time investment. Running at his Da Capo and Chandos recordings was a real eye opener for me some time ago. Doubtless you are well aware already.

Yeah, I'll have to spend more time with this composer. He doesn't always "hit the spot" so to speak, but he is a rather fascinating figure. I've enjoyed the SQs I've heard from him so far. I believe I own them all (so far).

vandermolen

Had the list been 'Greatest' as opposed to favourite I'd have chosen:
or...
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).