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The Music Room => General Classical Music Discussion => Topic started by: James on August 06, 2009, 08:39:19 AM

Title: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: James on August 06, 2009, 08:39:19 AM
Hey folks, if only allowed to choose 8 pieces of music from the 20th century to take with you to a deserted island what would they be?
(referring all music, so your list can include pieces from any genre if need be)
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: Dr. Dread on August 06, 2009, 10:16:17 AM
Too hard.  :-\
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: prémont on August 06, 2009, 10:19:56 AM
In no particular order:

Carl Nielsen: Commotio (for organ)
Carl Nielsen: Symphony no.5
Bela Bartok: Piano concerto no. 3
Bela Bartok: For children
Frank Martin: Petite symphonie concertante
Igor Stravinsky: Petrouschka
Ptr Eben: Laudes (for organ)
Walter Kraft: Totentanz toccata (for organ as well)
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: DavidW on August 06, 2009, 10:33:29 AM
I would randomly choose between the string quartets of Bartok and Shostakovich until I had 8 chosen. :)
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: ChamberNut on August 06, 2009, 10:46:09 AM
Shostakovich - Symphony No. 10
Shostakovich - String Quartet No. 10
Bartok - String Quartet No. 4
Messiaen - QPLFDT
Mahler - Symphony No. 6
Sibelius - Symphony No. 7
Prokofiev - Romeo & Juliet
Stravinsky - The Rite of Spring
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: bwv 1080 on August 06, 2009, 10:47:12 AM
but what would we play them on?


if you got LP versions of 8 long operas perhaps you could make a raft out of the discs, go home and listen to your full collection
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: Brian on August 06, 2009, 11:17:11 AM
Shostakovich Symphonies 9, 10
either Ravel Concerto in G or Rachmaninov Concerto 3
Janacek Glagolitic Mass, Sinfonietta
Atterberg Symphony No 3
Sibelius Violin Concerto
I'll save the last spot for a while, in case my listening to Bernstein's Mass over the next week or so suggests it deserves a spot here. Otherwise, maybe Sibelius 5 or the piano concerto not chosen above.

Things I'd be really sad about leaving behind: Shostakovich 5, 7, Piano Concerto 2; Ravel La Valse, Daphnis et Chloe (complete); Rachmaninov Isle of the Dead; West Side Story; Gershwin; [edit] Strauss Metamorphosen.
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: Franco on August 06, 2009, 05:03:18 PM
Durufle, Requiem
Stravinsky, Symphonies for Wind Instruments (1920)
Stravinsky, Symphony of Psalms
Ravel, Piano Concerto in G
Poulenc, Aubade for piano and 18 instruments
Barber, Knoxville: Summer of 1915
Copland, Appalachian Spring
Rach 2nd
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: Lethevich on August 06, 2009, 06:07:40 PM
Medtner - Piano Quintet
Britten - Peter Grimes
Andriessen - De Staat
Sibelius - The Oceanides
Kancheli - Symphony No.5 Bartók - Violin Concerto No.2
Schnittke - Peer Gynt
Pärt - Stabat Mater
Shostakovich - Preludes & Fugues
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: vandermolen on August 07, 2009, 03:09:19 AM
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No 6

Miaskovsky: Symphony No 6

Moeran: Symphony in G Minor

Braga Santos: Symphony No 4 (without the chorus!)

Copland: Symphony No 3

Novak: The Storm

Shostakovich: Symphony No 4

David Diamond: Symphony No 3 or Tubin Symphony No 4 (can't decide)
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: ChamberNut on August 07, 2009, 03:42:02 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on August 07, 2009, 03:09:19 AM
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No 6

Oh crap, I forgot about this one.  ;D
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: The new erato on August 07, 2009, 05:07:42 AM
Quote from: James on August 06, 2009, 04:57:04 PM
strauss beim schlafengehen
bartók 6th string quartet
ligeti 6th piano étude
stravinsky mass
webern symphony
fauré 13th piano nocturne
debussy sonata for flute, viola & harp
poulenc 8th piano nocturne
With all those short pieces you are getting very little bang for the buck!
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks - for today
Post by: Wanderer on August 07, 2009, 05:17:16 AM
Bartók – Music for Strings, Percussion & Celesta, Bluebeard's Castle.
Sibelius – Symphony no.7
Ravel – Piano Concerto in D (for the left hand), Gaspard de la nuit.
Shostakovich – Symphony no.10
R. Strauss: Salome, Don Quixote, Vier letzte Lieder.
Medtner: "Night Wind" Sonata, Second Improvisation, Piano Concerto No.3
Schreker: Die Gezeichneten
Zemlinsky: Eine florentinische Tragödie
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: Franco on August 07, 2009, 05:32:30 AM
QuoteBartók – Music for Strings, Percussion & Celesta

This work was definitely in the running for my list, as was his Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion.
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: ChamberNut on August 07, 2009, 07:14:13 AM
Oh man, I forgot about Strauss too.  I have to totally redo my list.  >:(
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: UB on August 07, 2009, 08:14:05 AM
Adams - John's Book of Alleged Dances
Nono- Como una ola de fuerza y luz
Rihm - Die Hamletmaschine
Schnittke - Piano Quintet
Rihm - Vers une Symphonie Fleuve V
Shostakovich - Preludes and Fugues
Shostakovich - Cello Concerto #1
Birtwistle - Earth Dances
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: bhodges on August 07, 2009, 08:44:06 AM
In chronological order:

Bartók: Bluebeard's Castle (1911)
Berg: Wozzeck (1914-1922)
Hindemith: Five Pieces for Strings (1927)
Martinů : Double Concerto (1938)
Britten: Peter Grimes (1945)
Ligeti: Atmosphères (1961)
Murail: Gondwana (1980)
Xenakis: Tetras (1983)

Regrets: no Mahler, R. Strauss, Shostakovich, Berio, Grisey, Schoenberg, Webern, or Carter.  :'( 

--Bruce
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: The new erato on August 07, 2009, 09:32:33 AM
Quote from: James on August 07, 2009, 07:33:05 AM
the pieces i picked actually meaning something to me and i love them lots.

where's your personal list? 
Too difficult to rate. I always wimp out of these kinds of lists, how could I possibly restrict myself. At least it would take a VERY long time to reflect if I were to do it.
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: jochanaan on August 07, 2009, 10:12:47 AM
The complete works of Edgard Varèse. ;D
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: Marc on August 07, 2009, 10:39:14 AM
Another useless list :D, I like it.

Mahler: 4th symphony.
Ravel: Piano Concerto pour la main gauche.
Poulenc: 3 motets (Exsultate Deo, Ave verum corpus, Salve Regina).
Stravinsky: Elegia for viola solo.
Pärt: Te Deum.
Pärt: De Profundis.
Andriessen: De Staat.
Micháns: Herbstlieder.

Tomorrow another list, of course. :)
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: bhodges on August 07, 2009, 10:43:21 AM
Quote from: Marc on August 07, 2009, 10:39:14 AM
Andriessen: De Staat.

Interesting that the Andriessen has shown up on not one, but several lists.  I'm a big fan of his music but haven't heard this one!

--Bruce
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: Marc on August 07, 2009, 10:48:33 AM
Quote from: bhodges on August 07, 2009, 10:43:21 AM
Interesting that the Andriessen has shown up on not one, but several lists.  I'm a big fan of his music but haven't heard this one!

Here's a small mp3 sample, to give you an idea:
http://weblogs.hollanddoc.nl/lalottacontinua/tag/de-staat/

Very nice desert island music!
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: bhodges on August 07, 2009, 10:52:25 AM
Thanks!  Like that snippet a lot...obviously need to get this at some point. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: admiralackbar74 on August 07, 2009, 11:36:21 AM
Quote from: Marc on August 07, 2009, 10:39:14 AM
Another useless list :D, I like it.

Don't think of these lists as useless! I'm finding tons of stuff I haven't explored yet that I'm putting on my listening list! Keep 'em coming!
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: George on August 07, 2009, 11:43:39 AM
Ligeti Etudes for Piano
Ligeti String Quartets
Part Fratres
Prokofiev Piano Sonatas
Schoenberg Quartets
Shostakovich Quartets
Shostakovich Symphonies
Scriabin Piano Sonatas 4-10
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: Ten thumbs on August 07, 2009, 01:34:50 PM
I'm not rushing into this, so I'll begin with two indispensable works:
Medtner: Piano Concerto No. 3
Bonis: Septet
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: Marc on August 08, 2009, 01:11:19 AM
Quote from: Marc on August 07, 2009, 10:39:14 AM
Another useless list :D, I like it.

Quote from: admiralackbar74 on August 07, 2009, 11:36:21 AM
Don't think of these lists as useless! I'm finding tons of stuff I haven't explored yet that I'm putting on my listening list! Keep 'em coming!

Oops!
Sorry!

(Then again: I admitted I liked it.)

;D
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: Sergeant Rock on August 08, 2009, 04:12:24 AM
Quote from: George on August 07, 2009, 11:43:39 AM
Ligeti Etudes for Piano
Ligeti String Quartets
Part Fratres
Prokofiev Piano Sonatas
Schoenberg Quartets
Shostakovich Quartets
Shostakovich Symphonies
Scriabin Piano Sonatas 4-10


George! ...that's about 62 pieces. The rules say 8 max, dude  ;D

SArge
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: Grazioso on August 08, 2009, 04:44:47 AM
Just eight? That's cruel. I want to move to a desert island with more liberal music laws ;)

But here are eight that I'd really rather not go without:

Mahler symphony 7
Pettersson symphony 7
Debussy La Mer
Norgard symphony 3
Pärt Lamentate
RVW London symphony
Korngold symphony in F#
Hindemith Mathis der Maler symphony

Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: George on August 08, 2009, 05:13:45 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on August 08, 2009, 04:12:24 AM
George! ...that's about 62 pieces. The rules say 8 max, dude  ;D

SArge

No laws on my desert island.  $:)
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: DavidW on August 08, 2009, 05:34:42 AM
Quote from: George on August 08, 2009, 05:13:45 AM
No laws on my desert island.  $:)

Except one-- "pleasure is the law!" ;D  That and starving. :'(

:D
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: 71 dB on August 08, 2009, 07:38:28 AM
Elgar - The Apostles, Op. 49

That's worth 8 works of music for me.  0:)


Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: Marc on August 08, 2009, 09:25:33 AM
Quote from: bhodges on August 07, 2009, 10:52:25 AM
Thanks!  Like that snippet a lot...obviously need to get this at some point. 

At least Andriessen's De Staat is still available on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Staat-Louis-Andriessen/dp/B000005J0K
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: Tomo on August 08, 2009, 12:23:43 PM
Okay, took the thread challenge in a literal sense and thought about the ten works I'd want with me if I were deserted on an island.  The ones chosen stretched, for me, a range of emotions from the angst of the human (often inhuman) condition to spirituality, hope, and beauty.  These aren't necessarily my favorites even of a particular composer (Stravinsky).  Simply, they are works that might help me carry on with my isolation on that island.  The biggest problem is that some are VERY short and wouldn't fill up the hours that well.

In no particular order:
1.  Stravinsky - Mass
2.  Vaughan Williams -  Symphony No. 6 with the added "The Lark Ascending"
3.  Shostakovich -  String Quartet No. 15
4.  Shostakovich - Symphony No. 10
5.  Mahler - Das Lied von der Erde
6.  Janacek - Glagolitic Mass
7.  Sibelius - Tapiola
8.  Strauss - Four Last Songs
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: Bulldog on August 08, 2009, 12:46:32 PM
Tomo:

Great avatar.  Is that a white sheppard?  I have one that looks quite similar.
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: Tomo on August 08, 2009, 01:37:27 PM
Why, yes it is.  Great dogs!!!  Actually, he is Tomo, which is Japanese for "companion."
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: techniquest on August 08, 2009, 02:19:09 PM
Shostakovich - Symphony No.13
RVW - Symphony No.2 (1913 original version)
Khachaturian - Symphony No.2
Ravel - La Valse
Yes - Tales from Topographic Oceans
Nielsen - Symphony No.4
Mahler - Symphony No.8
Steve Hackett - Spectral Mornings

That's my choice as it stands at this moment...
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: Bulldog on August 08, 2009, 05:32:57 PM
Quote from: Tomo on August 08, 2009, 01:37:27 PM
Why, yes it is.  Great dogs!!!  Actually, he is Tomo, which is Japanese for "companion."

Yes, they are wonderful dogs.  Mine sheds like crazy most of the year; the remainder is ultra-crazy.
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: Cleo Telerín on August 08, 2009, 11:28:52 PM
Being stranded in a desert island must be rather depressing, so I would fill the suitcase with candy:

Nielsen - Sinfonia semplice
Prokofiev - Piano Concerto No. 3
Martinu - String Quartet No. 3
Schulhoff - Ogelala
Bartók - Concerto for Orchestra
Popov - Symphony No. 6
Schnittke - Gogol Suite
Kagel - Les ideés fixes
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: Keemun on August 09, 2009, 01:02:19 PM
Here is my list.  I will preface it by saying that being restricted to 20th century works was difficult for me because most of my desert island works would pre-date the 20th century.   8)

Mahler: Symphony No. 9
Sibelius: Symphony No. 5
Sibelius: Tapiola
Pettersson: Symphony No. 7
Martinu: Symphony No. 4
Stenhammar: Symphony No. 2
Schmidt: Symphony No. 4
Strauss: Tod und Verklarung (Death and Transfiguration)

Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: jochanaan on August 09, 2009, 03:34:08 PM
Quote from: Keemun on August 09, 2009, 01:02:19 PM
...Strauss: Tod und Verklarung (Death and Transfiguration)
Uh, strike one.  Tod und Verklärung was first performed in 1890. :)
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: Keemun on August 09, 2009, 07:03:50 PM
Quote from: jochanaan on August 09, 2009, 03:34:08 PM
Uh, strike one.  Tod und Verklärung was first performed in 1890. :)

Damn, the one work for which I didn't check the date. . . .  :P  I'll try to come up with a suitable replacement tomorrow.  :)
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: cliftwood on August 10, 2009, 12:37:25 AM
This is an almost impossible task, but I'll try:

Mahler Symphonies # 3, 5, 7 & 9

Shostakovich Symphonies # 5, 8, & 10

Hindemith Symphony in E Flat

Wm.Schuman Symphony # 3

Shostakovich Preludes & Fugues
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: Florestan on August 10, 2009, 02:18:06 AM
Bartok: Piano Concerto No. 2
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3
Khachaturyan: Piano Concerto, Violin Concerto
Enescu: Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 3
Stravinsky: Petrushka
Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet
Debussy: La mer
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: Ten thumbs on August 10, 2009, 05:51:12 AM
Here are another two (up to 4 now):
Bartok: Concerto for Orchestra
Messiaen: Harawi
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: Keemun on August 10, 2009, 06:01:27 AM
My corrected list, with credit to jochanaan for pointing out my error: :)

Mahler: Symphony No. 9
Sibelius: Symphony No. 5
Sibelius: Tapiola
Pettersson: Symphony No. 7
Martinu: Symphony No. 4
Stenhammar: Symphony No. 2
Schmidt: Symphony No. 4
Strauss: Tod und Verklarung (Death and Transfiguration)
Adams: Harmonielehre
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: techniquest on August 10, 2009, 02:04:44 PM
QuoteMahler Symphonies # 3, 5, 7 & 9

No no no! Mahler 3 was composed in 1895/6 so it doesn't count. If I can't have Mahler 3 then no one can have it :P
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: CD on August 10, 2009, 02:36:38 PM
I apologize in advance for the lack of accent marks. :)

Faure - String Quartet
Schoenberg - Pelleas und Melisande
Janacek - String Quartet No. 2 "Intimate Letters"
Stravinsky - Orpheus
Ravel - Chansons Madecasses
Sibelius - Symphony No. 6
Nielsen - Symphony No. 5
Koechlin - Vers la voute etoilee
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: George on August 10, 2009, 03:04:39 PM
Quote from: corey on August 10, 2009, 02:36:38 PM
I apologize in advance for the lack of accent marks. :)

;D

That should be my signature.  :D
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: eyeresist on August 11, 2009, 01:01:15 AM
Quote from: jochanaan on August 07, 2009, 10:12:47 AM
The complete works of Edgard Varèse. ;D
Yes, and if you can thwack a coconut while making a siren noise with your mouth, you won't even need to lug along your stereo :P


Bax Symphony 3
Bax Symphony 7
Hindemith Symphonic Dances (for dancing)
Prokofiev Symphony 3
Prokofiev Piano Concerto 1 (always gives me a lift)
Shostakovich Cello Concerto 1
Vaughan Williams Symphony 7 (because desert islands get hot)
Vaughan Williams Symphony 8 (for Christmas)
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: springrite on August 11, 2009, 01:31:43 AM
Quote from: eyeresist on August 11, 2009, 01:01:15 AM

Bax Symphony 7


Uh, I am so glad I am not the only one who considers it a great symphony!

Mahler 9
Bax 7
Rite of Spring
Feldman: For Piano and String Quartet
Salome
Ravel Piano Concerto
Shostakovich String Quartet #3
Wozzeck
Crumb: Madrigals
Prokofiev Piano Concerto #3 (or #1)
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: eyeresist on August 11, 2009, 02:40:21 AM
Quote from: springrite on August 11, 2009, 01:31:43 AM
Uh, I am so glad I am not the only one who considers it a great symphony!
I only encountered it recently, and thought I was unimpressed, but it somehow snuck in under the radar (even though I still find Lloyd-Jones slightly awkward in it). It's melodically among Bax's strongest moments, and, rare for him, has such a feeling of open blue skies, and peace.
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: Dancing Divertimentian on August 11, 2009, 08:47:35 PM
Quote from: eyeresist on August 11, 2009, 01:01:15 AM
Yes, and if you can thwack a coconut while making a siren noise with your mouth, you won't even need to lug along your stereo :P

Well, you'll need something to keep you awake during all that Vaughan Williams...
Title: Re: Your 20th Century desert island picks
Post by: eyeresist on August 12, 2009, 07:52:19 PM
Quote from: Dancing Divertimentian on August 11, 2009, 08:47:35 PM
Well, you'll need something to keep you awake during all that Vaughan Williams...
I need a fresh cowpat - this one's gone cold...