GMG Classical Music Forum

Personally I love the ending of Mahler's third symphony. It's amazing.  What's your favourite out of these 7 symphonies?

They are all impressive but I vote for Bruckner 5. "When the chorale stretches a vast triple rhythm over the basic quadruple pulse, the effect is overwhelming" --Robert Simpson


Sarge

All these endings are magnificent--but I voted for Mahler 3, because it, more than any of the others, needs to be played exactly right.  Far too many conductors, in my experience, rush it.

Mahler 3, but the only one I can accept is Tennstedt's version.
These aren't really the best selections, I don't think. I think Mahler 2 and 9 should be on the poll, although if you mean "powerful" in a broad sense (without regard to volume) I consider 9 to be by far the greatest, most powerful statement of probably anything, period.

From this list, my favorite ending is Shostakovich's 5th.

The most powerful for me though, but it isn't on the list is Bruckner's 8th.

This list needs a serious update. I choose Bruckner 5 and Mahler 3 for now.

My vote also goes to Bruckner's 5th.

I'd also add:

Bruckner Symphony No 8
Walton Symphony No 1
Shostakovich Symphony No 4 (ends in the deepest gloom - so not powerful in terms of loudness)
Vaughan Williams symphonies 4 and 9
Pokofiev Symphony No 6

My question was not what the most powerful ending in any symphony is.
I agree there are probably more powerful endings, but nonetheless these are my personal favourites.

Actually, I'd have to say a tie between Shostakovich 5 and Mahler 3, now that I think about it...

I went for the Brahms because I love that movement.

But, really, I can think of several better choice off the top of my head. Mahler 2 and Vaughan Williams 4 for instance. Both endings knock the socks off Brahms (with respect).

My vote goes to Shostakovich 5. It's first movement also has a very powerful ending, but not in terms of being loud.

A formiddable list of contenders put forward, I would have considered the matter deeply, but Bruckners 5th being there killed any sense of fair judgement for me, and he was clicked with some aplomb, but not too much.   ???

Brahms's first actually, in my opinion. It is tremendous and easily deserves the nickname "Beethoven's 10th".

Since it's not in poll, I have to pick Sibelius's second. Like soul being dipped in liquid gold.

I agree it's not fair to the others, putting Bruckner's Fifth on that list. Voted with confidence, although I could've voted for the Sibelius, Mahler or Brahms options just as easily. Regarding Shostakovich, I consider the endings of the Eleventh and Seventh Symphonies more powerful still than the listed Fifth. The likes of Brahms 1 or Sibelius 7 could also be on that list.

Quote from: Alberich on March 21, 2011, 02:25:23 AM
Since it's not in poll, I have to pick Sibelius's second. Like soul being dipped in liquid gold.

Love the metaphor.

Asked the newb...

Quote from: Palmetto on March 21, 2011, 07:07:42 AM
Asked the newb...

Excellent question!

(* munches popcorn while the answers roll in *)

Quote from: Palmetto on March 21, 2011, 07:07:42 AM
Asked the newb...

Darn right! That's why I haven't contributed or voted: when somebody suggests a piece like Sibelius 7, that seems to be about spiritual healing and acceptance; on the other hand, something like Beethoven 7 is about pure visceral, physical excitement. There are leanings toward "emotionally intense", but then why on earth is the kind of silly, charming Schubert 9 on the list? And these are pretty uniformly really loud endings, but what if there's a powerful quiet ending, like Zemlinksy's Lyric Symphony?

I may not be able to define it but I know powerful when I hear it  ;D


Sarge

Quote from: Palmetto on March 21, 2011, 07:07:42 AM
Asked the newb...

Very similar to how one would define greatest. 0:)

Quote from: Opus106 on March 21, 2011, 08:26:52 AM
Very similar to how one would define greatest. 0:)

Or favorite?  ::)

isn't that the standard for another 'art form'?  :P

Oh, and I'd say 'moving' would be a good synonym.  I'll abstain from voting since I haven't heard any of the referenced pieces yet, or at least don't recognize that I have.

I picked Bruckner's 5th, but the one that comes to mind most readily is Dvořák's 7th. It may not be the longest or most hyper symphony, but it ties the work together so well and is very cathartic, but also mildly chilling. Super stuff :)

Quote from: Palmetto on March 21, 2011, 09:51:43 AM
isn't that the standard for another 'art form'?  :P

I have no idea what you mean  ;D ;)


Sarge

Quote from: Sergeant Rock on March 21, 2011, 08:21:26 AM
I may not be able to define it but I know powerful when I hear it  ;D

Succinctly put.  ;D

I also object to the implied notion that a poll  thread about disparate symphonic endings should have any less aspirations to silliness than the multitude of similar poll threads before it.  $:)

Not sure anyone said anything about silly.

But I am enjoying my popcorn, thank you very much ; )

Of course, the poll at the start of the thread says powerful and hair-raising.

And some of us have scalp follicles which are always up for some stimulation . . . .

Without Beethoven's 9th, which would raise MY hair if I had any, the poll loses all credibility. :-\

8)

Also missing from the poll is the Shostakovich Leningrad, which, when the Mariinka performed it in Worcester's Mechanics Hall, may well have been the most powerful ending to any symphony in a performance I have witnessed.

Quote from: Apollon on March 21, 2011, 10:49:34 AM
Also missing from the poll is the Shostakovich Leningrad, which, when the Mariinka performed it in Worcester's Mechanics Hall, may well have been the most powerful ending to any symphony in a performance I have witnessed.

Yeah, I know. I'm sure the OP doesn't want us to complain about what isn't there, but The 9th! Just sayin'... :-\

8)

Quote from: Brian on March 21, 2011, 08:18:57 AM
but what if there's a powerful quiet ending, like Zemlinksy's Lyric Symphony?

Or Pettersson's 7th? A whisper can be more dramatic than a shout.

Quote from: Gurnatron5500 on March 21, 2011, 11:02:42 AM
Yeah, I know. I'm sure the OP doesn't want us to complain about what isn't there, but The 9th! Just sayin'... :-\

8)

Is that the one where the big guy starts singing about tuna?  He must be hungry  ;D

My definition of powerful in music is in its touch.  It can do as much blasting, ripping and throwing daisies as it likes, but how does the effect of the music in consideration affect my thoughts?  For example, I consider Lutoslawski a powerful composer because his works have a tendency to alter the electromagnetic pathways of my brian and send me to Neptune and back, that is why he is powerful to me.  Mahlers 10th and Schmidts 4rth can OVERWHELM me with sadness.  They are powerful works.  Sibelius leaves me feeling reflective and damnable intense.  He is a powerful composer for me.  The power is in how intensely the music makes me respond, whether it is loud, quiet or whatever.
Och aye the noo, etc.,

Quote from: Grazioso on March 21, 2011, 11:14:52 AM
Is that the one where the big guy starts singing about tuna?  He must be hungry  ;D

YES! That's the one, right there! See, how could you leave that out?  ???

8)

Quote from: Lethe Dmitriyevich Shostakovich on March 21, 2011, 09:57:51 AM
I picked Bruckner's 5th, but the one that comes to mind most readily is Dvořák's 7th. It may not be the longest or most hyper symphony, but it ties the work together so well and is very cathartic, but also mildly chilling. Super stuff :)

Yeah, that ending is simply apocalyptic, to these ears. You don't need a battery of percussion and reinforced brass to make it feel like all the world is collapsing around you...

Quote from: Lethe Dmitriyevich Shostakovich on March 21, 2011, 09:57:51 AM
Dvořák's 7th. It may not be the longest or most hyper symphony, but it ties the work together so well and is very cathartic, but also mildly chilling. Super stuff :)

Quote from: Brian on March 22, 2011, 01:51:19 AM
Yeah, that ending is simply apocalyptic, to these ears. You don't need a battery of percussion and reinforced brass to make it feel like all the world is collapsing around you...

I feel that it's AD's tribute to Don Giovanni (or to his fate).

Quote from: Opus106 on March 22, 2011, 06:09:06 AM
I feel that it's AD's tribute to Don Giovanni (or to his fate).

Off topic:  No word of a lie, the Commendatore statue in this performance of Don Giovanni, looks a lot like Antonin Dvorak!   ;D

[asin]B0009F7G30[/asin]

.... and if powerful can be quiet and reflective then Bruckner's 9th always affected me deeply. During a very heavy depressional episode a few years back the ending went round and round my head for weeks.

Quote from: Gurnatron5500 on March 21, 2011, 01:08:53 PM
YES! That's the one, right there! See, how could you leave that out?  ???

8)

O Freunde, nicht diese Töne Tuna!
Sondern laßt uns angenehmere Fische essen,
    und freudenvollere.

  ;D

How could anyone not be affected by the ending of Bruckner's 4th ("The Romantic")?

Quote from: Grazioso on March 22, 2011, 10:03:35 AM
O Freunde, nicht diese Töne Tuna!
Sondern laßt uns angenehmere Fische essen,
    und freudenvollere.

  ;D

Hmm, something smells fishy in here; must be that doggerel-fish.... :P

8)

Quote from: Gurnatron5500 on April 10, 2011, 10:18:00 AM
Hmm, something smells fishy in here; must be that doggerel-fish.... :P

8)

http://www.youtube.com/v/pnq96W9jtuw

Tchaikovsky's 6th and Shostakovich's 8th.  Powerful to me, as in moving not as in bombastic. ;D

Brahms 4 for me, easy. 0:)

Quote from: Bruckner is God on March 20, 2011, 02:10:38 PM
My question was not what the most powerful ending in any symphony is.
I agree there are probably more powerful endings, but nonetheless these are my personal favourites.

I stand duly reprimanded  ::)

Quote from: Gurnatron5500 on March 21, 2011, 10:45:17 AM
Without Beethoven's 9th, which would raise MY hair if I had any, the poll loses all credibility. :-\

8)

I second Gurnatron5500's choice and raise him Tchaikovsky's 4th, Schubert's 9th, Dutilleux's 2nd, Roussel's 3rd, Shostakovich's 10th and Beethoven's Fifth for good measure. Not all are hair raising but they pack a punch.

Since you said "powerful and hair-raising" , I had to vote the Brahms 4th.

But these aren't the best options for "hair-raising".The Mahler 3rd ending for instance is a lyrical ending... And from the Sibelius-cycle definately the 5th wins  this game!

Also the Tsaikovsky 5th is a strong one...

Bruckner 5. Colossal.

Mahler 8. (Especially the first part's ending). But it is not on the list. So I would choose Bruckner 5.

Not a powerful ending but for me Brahms 3rd ends in such meloncoly and regret - a thread which runs through the whole symphony and despite the beauty and the bluster i feel this is one of his most deeply felt works  :)

Quote from: offbeat on July 19, 2011, 09:14:56 AM
Not a powerful ending but for me Brahms 3rd ends in such meloncoly and regret - a thread which runs through the whole symphony and despite the beauty and the bluster i feel this is one of his most deeply felt works  :)

IMO the best of Brahms, and possibly the best from the Romantic Era.

I chose DSCH 5th only because I've seen it performed several times, and it's quite a moving ending after the emotional 45 minutes that precede it.

I went for Brahms because, at his best (as in the finale of the 4th), his music has the same powerful effect on me that the plays of Sophocles do.  Other symphonies can be moving on a more temporary basis for me, but the impact of the Brahms Fourth is much deeper and longer lasting.  That's just my personality and the way I respond to things.

Speaking on a simply aural level, the symphony ending that packed the biggest wallop for me in a live performance was Barber's Symphony in One Movement.

The ending of the first movement of Brahms 4 keeps me speechless. Sibelius 2nd does the same but is transcendental rather than powerful. You remind me to visit Mahler 3, been a long time  :-\

Quote from: Mood4Classical on September 12, 2011, 07:01:29 PM
The ending of the first movement of Brahms 4 keeps me speechless. Sibelius 2nd does the same but is transcendental rather than powerful. You remind me to visit Mahler 3, been a long time  :-\

Exactly, my toss-up was between Bruckner and Sibelius, but it was the same differences you saw that inspired my gut to pick the Sibelius 2nd.

Isn't this part of the forum for "beginners" ? 

I am new.  I seem to enjoy Romantic and early modern composers: R. Strauss, Mahler, Bruckner, Sibelius, Bartok, Nielsen, Ives and, for some reason, Messiaen, and Bach for his Unaccompanied Cello Suites and violin sonatas and partitas.

Quote from: Frihed89 on October 20, 2011, 09:01:11 AM
Exactly, my toss-up was between Bruckner and Sibelius, but it was the same differences you saw that inspired my gut to pick the Sibelius 2nd.

Isn't this part of the forum for "beginners" ? 

I am new.  I seem to enjoy Romantic and early modern composers: R. Strauss, Mahler, Bruckner, Sibelius, Bartok, Nielsen, Ives and, for some reason, Messiaen, and Bach for his Unaccompanied Cello Suites and violin sonatas and partitas.

Hi Frihed89, and welcome. Feel free to post a little more about yourself (if you like) in the "Introductions" section of the board. And I'm a fan of all those composers you list, too!

--Bruce

Voted for Bruckner 5, does not get much more powerful than that! The only other symphony endings I can think of that are more powerful and overwhelming would be the ends to Mahler 2 and 8 :)

I voted for Bruckner No.5, its ending is certainly very intense and thrilling; but both Mahler No.3 and Shostakovich No.5 are highly impressive!   :)

Little amazed there's not Beethoven No.9 in the list, the finale of that symphony is one of the most powerful and beautiful I've ever heard, so involving!

Quote from: Lisztianwagner on October 21, 2011, 06:47:27 AM
Little amazed there's not Beethoven No.9 in the list, the finale of that symphony is one of the most powerful and beautiful I've ever heard, so involving!

It's too popular! ;)

Quote from: Opus106 on October 21, 2011, 06:58:40 AM
It's too popular! ;)

That's right, but this doesn't take out anything to its greatness I think.

Anyway aren't Beethoven No.7 and Schubert No.9 very popular as well?  ;)