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The Music Room => General Classical Music Discussion => The Polling Station => Topic started by: vandermolen on February 05, 2017, 11:22:03 AM

Title: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: vandermolen on February 05, 2017, 11:22:03 AM
Symphony 1: Walton
Symphony 2: A London Symphony (1913) by Vaughan Williams
Symphony 3: David Diamond
Symphony 4: Shostakovich
Symphony 5: Bax
Symphony 6: Miaskovsky
Symphony 7: Sibelius
Symphony 8: Havergal Brian
Symphony 9: Mahler
Symphony 10:Rubbra

Therefore Walton's First Symphony is my favourite first symphony, VW's 'A London Symphony' is my favourite second symphony. Get it? Stupid idea I know.  ::)
You can only choose a composer once.
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Todd on February 05, 2017, 11:36:14 AM
1 - Elgar
2 - Brahms
3 - Beethoven
4 - Schumann
5 - Prokofiev
6 - Tchaikovsky
7 - Sibelius
8 - Bruckner
9 - Mahler
10 - Shostakovich
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: vandermolen on February 05, 2017, 12:08:03 PM
Quote from: Todd on February 05, 2017, 11:36:14 AM
1 - Elgar
2 - Brahms
3 - Beethoven
4 - Schumann
5 - Prokofiev
6 - Tchaikovsky
7 - Sibelius
8 - Bruckner
9 - Mahler
10 - Shostakovich

Thank you - you lean more to the Nineteenth Century (though not exclusively) and we agree about Sibelius. Your choices would, I think, count as 'Great Symphonies' more than mine and, oh yes, I could easily have chosen Elgar, Tchaikovsky, Bruckner and Shostakovich.
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Mirror Image on February 05, 2017, 12:08:21 PM
A difficult thread idea, Jeffrey! >:( ;D
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Mirror Image on February 05, 2017, 12:19:23 PM
Here goes nothing:

1 -   Martinů
2 -   Rachmaninov
3 -   Nielsen
4 -   Sibelius
5 -   Vaughan Williams
6 -   Mahler
7 -   Rautavaara
8 -   Bruckner
9 -   Dvořák
10 - Shostakovich
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Mirror Image on February 05, 2017, 12:28:12 PM
I'm surprised by some of your choices, Jeffrey. In the slot for a third symphony, it's interesting to see that Honegger's Liturgique didn't make the cut.
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: James on February 05, 2017, 12:35:17 PM
There are only like 3 or 4 works with the word "symphony" in the title that mean anything to me. If we extend this to music written for a symphony orchestra it'd be a little bit larger.
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Mirror Image on February 05, 2017, 12:36:17 PM
Quote from: James on February 05, 2017, 12:35:17 PM
There are only like 3 or 4 works with the word "symphony" in the title that mean anything to me. If we extend this to music written for a symphony orchestra it'd be a little bit larger.

Thanks for dropping by. ::)
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: ahinton on February 05, 2017, 01:17:01 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 05, 2017, 12:36:17 PM
Thanks for dropping by. ::)
...or maybe without the "by"...
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Sergeant Rock on February 05, 2017, 01:51:45 PM
1 - Havergal Brian
2 - Ives
3 - Nielsen
4 - Brahms
5 - Sibelius
6 - Atterberg
7 - Dvorak
8 - Bruckner
9 - Vaughan Williams
10 - Mahler
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 05, 2017, 02:08:55 PM
Ah, things like this are always tricky considering that there are so many symphonies of a certain number that I love as opposed to symphonies of a different number which I would struggle with a bit.........

But here goes nothing!

1. Schnittke
2. Shostakovich
3. Honegger
4. Lutosławski
5. Nørgård
6. Sibelius
7. Mahler
8. Vaughan Williams
9. Henze
10. Davies
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Mirror Image on February 05, 2017, 02:13:52 PM
Quote from: ahinton on February 05, 2017, 01:17:01 PM
...or maybe without the "by"...

That's perfectly acceptable, too. ;D
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Mirror Image on February 05, 2017, 02:15:15 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on February 05, 2017, 01:51:45 PM
1 - Havergal Brian
2 - Ives
3 - Nielsen
4 - Brahms
5 - Sibelius
6 - Mahler
7 - Dvorak
8 - Bruckner
9 - Vaughan Williams
10 - Mahler

You can't use Mahler twice, Sarge. Hence...

Quote from: vandermolen on February 05, 2017, 11:22:03 AM
You can only choose a composer once.
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Sergeant Rock on February 05, 2017, 02:31:42 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 05, 2017, 02:15:15 PM
You can't use Mahler twice, Sarge. Hence...

I knew I had one too many drams tonight  ;) I'll edit my list.

Sarge
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Mirror Image on February 05, 2017, 03:32:28 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on February 05, 2017, 02:31:42 PM
I knew I had one too many drams tonight  ;) I'll edit my list.

Sarge

;D

Will be curious to see if you eliminate either M6 or M10. Coin toss?
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: ludwigii on February 05, 2017, 03:48:45 PM
1.   Walton
2.   Piston
3.   Lutoslawski
4.   Schnittke
5.   Prokofiev
6.   Tchaikovsky
7.   Beethoven
8.   Shostakovich
9.   Dvorak
10.   Mahler
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Sergeant Rock on February 05, 2017, 03:54:09 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 05, 2017, 03:32:28 PM
;D

Will be curious to see if you eliminate either M6 or M10. Coin toss?

I can't think of another 10 I love like the Mahler but there are quite a few Sixths I love in addition to Mahler's. So M6 got the boot.

Sarge
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Mirror Image on February 05, 2017, 03:55:37 PM
Quote from: ludwigii on February 05, 2017, 03:48:45 PM
1.   Walton
2.   Piston
3.   Lutoslawski
4.   Schnittke
5.   Prokofiev
6.   Tchaikovsky
7.   Beethoven
8.   Shostakovich
9.   Dvorak
10.   Mahler

Interesting list, ludwigii. Walton is a composer I plan on revisiting at some juncture. Who's your avatar, btw? A younger Walton?
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Mirror Image on February 05, 2017, 03:58:32 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on February 05, 2017, 03:54:09 PM
I can't think of another 10 I love like the Mahler but there are quite a few Sixths I love in addition to Mahler's. So M6 got the boot.

Sarge

I see you substituted the Atterberg. A good choice. 8) For me, I had a lot of favorites, especially #2-8, so I believe on these choices of mine I actually flipped a coin.
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 05, 2017, 04:03:33 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on February 05, 2017, 03:54:09 PM
I can't think of another 10 I love like the Mahler but there are quite a few Sixths I love in addition to Mahler's. So M6 got the boot.

Sarge
Yeah it is difficult to choose number 10 as there are few that really stand out with the Mahler. Including Mahler 7 on my list—which is my favourite 7th symphony of them all—meant that it was difficult to pick a 10th symphony that wasn't Mahler.................

I like Peter Maxwell Davies' 10th—much more than Shostakovich's 10th—but there are other symphonies I prefer much more.
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: ludwigii on February 05, 2017, 04:07:18 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 05, 2017, 03:55:37 PM
Interesting list, ludwigii. Walton is a composer I plan on revisiting at some juncture. Who's your avatar, btw? A younger Walton?

Thanks MI. Also your list, I copied for the Ninth by Dvorak  :D
I'm fond of the Piston's Symphony because a few years ago I wrote an analysis on it.
For Walton's Symphony no words, love it madly  ;D
Avatar ... it's not a composer, but a painter, Duncan Grant.
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Sergeant Rock on February 05, 2017, 04:11:40 PM
Quote from: jessop on February 05, 2017, 04:03:33 PM
I like Peter Maxwell Davies' 10th—much more than Shostakovich's 10th—but there are other symphonies I prefer much more.

Haven't heard Davies' but Shosty's 10 usually puts me to sleep. It's just about my least favorite of his 15.

Sarge
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 05, 2017, 05:24:31 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on February 05, 2017, 04:11:40 PM
Haven't heard Davies' but Shosty's 10 usually puts me to sleep. It's just about my least favorite of his 15.

Sarge

It's near the bottom of the rung for me too, along with no. 5.
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Dee Sharp on February 05, 2017, 05:49:22 PM
Brahms 1
Sibelius 2
Beethoven 3
Bruckner 4
Prokofiev 5
Tchaikovsky 6
Sibelius 7
Dvorak 8
Mahler 9
Shostakovich 10
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Mirror Image on February 05, 2017, 06:38:24 PM
Quote from: ludwigii on February 05, 2017, 04:07:18 PM
Thanks MI. Also your list, I copied for the Ninth by Dvorak  :D
I'm fond of the Piston's Symphony because a few years ago I wrote an analysis on it.
For Walton's Symphony no words, love it madly  ;D
Avatar ... it's not a composer, but a painter, Duncan Grant.

Very nice, ludwigii. I'm not familiar with Duncan Grant's work, I'll have to check it out.
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Mahlerian on February 05, 2017, 08:05:24 PM
No. 1 - Schoenberg Chamber Symphony in E
No. 2 - Prokofiev
No. 3 - Brahms
No. 4 - Shostakovich
No. 5 - Bruckner
No. 6 - Mahler
No. 7 - Henze
No. 8 - Schubert Unfinished
No. 9 - Beethoven

No tenth that doesn't duplicate, sorry.
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Mirror Image on February 05, 2017, 09:19:35 PM
Quote from: jessop on February 05, 2017, 02:08:55 PM
Ah, things like this are always tricky considering that there are so many symphonies of a certain number that I love as opposed to symphonies of a different number which I would struggle with a bit.........

But here goes nothing!

1. Schnittke
2. Shostakovich
3. Honegger
4. Lutosławski
5. Nørgård
6. Sibelius
7. Mahler
8. Vaughan Williams
9. Henze
10. Davies

Good to see some love for Vaughan Williams' 8th, Jessop. I feel that it, along with the 9th, is perhaps one of the more misunderstood symphonies from his cycle. It feels like a lightweight work much in the same vein that Sibelius' 6th feels lightweight, but subsequent listens reveal that there's much more churning underneath the surface here.
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 05, 2017, 09:28:16 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 05, 2017, 09:19:35 PM
Good to see some love for Vaughan Williams' 8th, Jessop. I feel that it, along with the 9th, is perhaps one of the more misunderstood symphonies from his cycle. It feels like a lightweight work much in the same vein that Sibelius' 6th feels lightweight, but subsequent listens reveal that there's much more churning underneath the surface here.
Exactly! And Sibelius 6 is also on my list ^_^
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Chronochromie on February 05, 2017, 09:48:46 PM
1- Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique
2- Prokofiev
3- Schumann/Lutosławski
4- Sibelius/Ives
5- Bruckner
6- Nielsen
7- Mahler
8- Schubert
9- Beethoven
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Turner on February 05, 2017, 11:02:02 PM
Quote from: jessop on February 05, 2017, 02:08:55 PM
Ah, things like this are always tricky considering that there are so many symphonies of a certain number that I love as opposed to symphonies of a different number which I would struggle with a bit.........

But here goes nothing!

1. Schnittke
2. Shostakovich
3. Honegger
4. Lutosławski
5. Nørgård
6. Sibelius
7. Mahler
8. Vaughan Williams
9. Henze
10. Davies

A lot of those I´d consider too ...
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: vandermolen on February 05, 2017, 11:11:38 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 05, 2017, 12:28:12 PM
I'm surprised by some of your choices, Jeffrey. In the slot for a third symphony, it's interesting to see that Honegger's Liturgique didn't make the cut.
I agree John but I love that Diamond symphony. I think that if I'd entitled the thread as 'Great' rather than favourite I'd have chosen the Honegger. That by Copland or Harris might also have featured. Thanks for your great choices and for so many of you for responding.  :) :)
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: vandermolen on February 05, 2017, 11:15:46 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on February 05, 2017, 02:31:42 PM
I knew I had one too many drams tonight  ;) I'll edit my list.

Sarge
Yes - kindly stick to the rules thank you very much.  8)
I like your choices, by the way, and think I should have chosen some myself (HB, Atterberg, VW No.9, Bruckner).  ::)
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: vandermolen on February 06, 2017, 12:40:50 AM
Quote from: ludwigii on February 05, 2017, 03:48:45 PM
1.   Walton
2.   Piston
3.   Lutoslawski
4.   Schnittke
5.   Prokofiev
6.   Tchaikovsky
7.   Beethoven
8.   Shostakovich
9.   Dvorak
10.   Mahler
I thought of including the Piston myself and the Shostakovich is another favourite as is the Adagio from Mahler's 10th Symphony.
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: vandermolen on February 06, 2017, 12:43:27 AM
Quote from: jessop on February 05, 2017, 02:08:55 PM
Ah, things like this are always tricky considering that there are so many symphonies of a certain number that I love as opposed to symphonies of a different number which I would struggle with a bit.........

But here goes nothing!

1. Schnittke
2. Shostakovich
3. Honegger
4. Lutosławski
5. Nørgård
6. Sibelius
7. Mahler
8. Vaughan Williams
9. Henze
10. Davies
Interesting choices, especially the Shostakovich as this is often seen as one of his least successful symphonies, not least by the composer himself - I must listen to it again.
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 06, 2017, 12:53:06 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on February 06, 2017, 12:43:27 AM
Interesting choices, especially the Shostakovich as this is often seen as one of his least successful symphonies, not least by the composer himself - I must listen to it again.
It is one of the most immediately attractive to me...and it isn't very long either! Succinct Shostakovich is my favourite kind. :)

(Although his 4th is another favourite of mine as well)
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Florestan on February 06, 2017, 12:54:52 AM
1 - Mahler
2 - Brahms
3 - Schumann
4 - Bruckner
5 - Tchaikovsky
6 - Haydn
7 - Beethoven
8 - Dvorak
9 - Schubert
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: North Star on February 06, 2017, 01:15:21 AM
1 - Schumann
2 - Brahms
3 - Beethoven
4 - Nielsen
5 - Vaughan Williams
6 - Tchaikovsky
7 - Sibelius
8 - Dvorak
9 - Mahler
10 - Shostakovich
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: ahinton on February 06, 2017, 03:00:56 AM
Quote from: Mahlerian on February 05, 2017, 08:05:24 PM
No. 1 - Schoenberg Chamber Symphony in E
No. 2 - Prokofiev
No. 3 - Brahms
No. 4 - Shostakovich
No. 5 - Bruckner
No. 6 - Mahler
No. 7 - Henze
No. 8 - Schubert Unfinished
No. 9 - Beethoven

No tenth that doesn't duplicate, sorry.
I'd go with some of that, although I'd probably substitute Schmidt's or Krenek's for Prokofiev's second, Elgar's or Magnard's for Brahms' third and Myaskovsky's for Mahler's sixth just so that I could add Mahler's tenth and still avoid duplication. Maybe David Matthews' eighth instead of Schubert's as the latter remained unfinished - and Rubbra's, Simpson's or Arnold's in place of Beethoven's (OK, heresy over...)
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Karl Henning on February 06, 2017, 03:21:14 AM
№ 1 | Сергей Васильевич [ Sergei Vasilyevich (Rakhmaninov) ]
№ 2 | Сергей Сергеевич [ Sergei Sergeyevich (Prokofiev) ]
№ 3 | Nielsen
№ 4 | Дмитрий Дмитриевич (though I might have docked him in berth 10, too)
№ 5 | Sibelius (though I might have docked him in berth 6, too)
№ 6 | Martinů
№ 7 | Mennin (though I might have him swap places with Dvořák)
№ 8 | Dvořák
№ 9 | Schuman
№ 10 | Langgaard
№ 11 | Haydn
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Turner on February 06, 2017, 03:25:29 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on February 06, 2017, 03:21:14 AM
№ 1 | Сергей Васильевич [ Sergei Vasilyevich (Rakhmaninov) ]
№ 2 | Сергей Сергеевич [ Sergei Sergeyevich (Prokofiev) ]
№ 3 | Nielsen
№ 4 | Дмитрий Дмитриевич (though I might have docked him in berth 10, too)
№ 5 | Sibelius (though I might have docked him in berth 6, too)
№ 6 | Martinů
№ 7 | Mennin (though I might have him swap places with Dvořák)
№ 8 | Dvořák
№ 9 | Schuman
№ 10 | Langgaard
№ 11 | Haydn

Those Martinu and Langgaard works would also be among my favorites. Great to see them.
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Karl Henning on February 06, 2017, 03:33:21 AM
Quote from: Turner on February 06, 2017, 03:25:29 AM
Those Martinu and Langgaard works would also be among my favorites. Great to see them.

I see that I managed to omit Vaughan Williams, but this is my own conundrum.  My № 2, 3 & 4 berths are practically lifetime appointments.  I could conceivably switch A Sea Symphony in for № 1, but I hate to leave Сергей Васильевич out in the cold.  There is something of a rock/paper/scissors game among RVW, Sibelius & Martinů for the № 5 & 6 berths.  Much as I love the RVW Seventh, Eighth & Ninth, I don't quite see them nudging their way in.
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: ritter on February 06, 2017, 06:05:49 AM
Let's give this a try:

1. Walton
2. Krenek
3. Enesco
4. Schmidt
5. Sessions
6. Mahler
7. Beethoven
8. Schubert ("traditional" numeration, i.e. Unfinshed Symphony)
9. Bruckner

Sorry, no No. 10 (using Haydn as joker seemed unrespectful to me)

Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Mirror Image on February 06, 2017, 06:23:30 AM
Quote from: North Star on February 06, 2017, 01:15:21 AM
1 - Schumann
2 - Mahler
3 - Beethoven
4 - Brahms
5 - Vaughan Williams
6 - Tchaikovsky
7 - Sibelius
8 - Dvorak
9 - Mahler
10 - Shostakovich

You can only use Mahler once, Karlo. $:)
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: North Star on February 06, 2017, 06:27:08 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 06, 2017, 06:23:30 AM
You can only use Mahler once, Karlo. $:)
Hm, don't know how that happened.. here's the edited list:
Quote from: North Star on February 06, 2017, 01:15:21 AM
1 - Schumann
2 - Brahms
3 - Beethoven
4 - Nielsen
5 - Vaughan Williams
6 - Tchaikovsky
7 - Sibelius
8 - Dvorak
9 - Mahler
10 - Shostakovich
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Karl Henning on February 06, 2017, 06:42:24 AM
A fine list, to be sure, Karlo!
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Jo498 on February 06, 2017, 06:53:48 AM
1 Brahms
2 Schumann
3 Beethoven
4 Mendelssohn
5 Nielsen
6 Bruckner
7 Dvorak
8 Schubert (b minor or C major, either is fine)
9 Mahler
10 Shostakovich
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: North Star on February 06, 2017, 06:56:32 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on February 06, 2017, 06:42:24 AM
A fine list, to be sure, Karlo!
Cheers, Karl!
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Brian on February 06, 2017, 01:31:58 PM
1 - Mahler
2 - Borodin
3 - Beethoven
4 - Brahms
5 - Vaughan Williams
6 - Martinu
7 - Sibelius
8 - Dvorak
9 - Schubert (Old Numbering, in C)
10 - Shostakovich
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: GioCar on February 06, 2017, 09:02:23 PM
Ok, here's my list

1- Berio
2- Mahler
3- Mendelssohn
4- Brahms
5- Nielsen
6- Prokofiev
7- Schubert
8- Bruckner
9- Beethoven
10- Weinberg
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: amw on February 06, 2017, 09:58:13 PM
1 - Martinů  [Schoenberg]
2 - Stravinsky Psalms   [Carter 3 Orchestras]
3 - Brahms   [Beethoven]
4 - Rubbra    [Sibelius]
5 - Nielsen    [Vaughan Williams]
6 - Bruckner   [Dvořák]
7 - Dvořák     [Schubert Unfinished]
8 - Schubert C major  [Schnittke]
9 - Beethoven   [Bruckner]
10 - Henze      [Rubbra]
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Wanderer on February 07, 2017, 12:49:22 AM
1 - Brahms (Elgar, Beethoven, Mahler, Schmidt) (Vaughan Williams)
2 - Mendelssohn (Schumann, Brahms, Mahler, Elgar) (Sibelius)
3 - Beethoven (Bruckner, Nielsen, Sibelius, Mahler) (Dvořák)
4 - Nielsen (Bruckner, Brahms, Beethoven, Mahler) (Schumann)
5 - Bruckner (Sibelius, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Nielsen)
6 - Mahler (Beethoven)
7 - Sibelius (Beethoven, Vaughan Williams)
8 - Dvořák (Mahler, Bruckner, Schubert, Beethoven)
9 - Schubert (Beethoven, Bruckner, Mahler)
10 - Shostakovich (Mahler)
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: vandermolen on February 07, 2017, 02:10:39 AM
I'm (genuinely) surprised by all the responses to this thread and have enjoyed reading them all.
:)
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: aesthetic on February 07, 2017, 03:38:44 AM
1 - Tchaikovsky
2 - Rachmaninov
3 - Mendelssohn
4 - Brahms
5 - Shostakovich
6 - Beethoven
7 - Sibelius
8 - Bruckner
9 - Mahler
10 - Schubert (D. 936a)
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: SymphonicAddict on February 07, 2017, 03:11:57 PM
1 - Brian
2 - Sibelius (or Stenhammar or Khachaturian or Vaughan Williams) (the most difficult choice)
3 - Nielsen (or Glière or Atterberg)
4 - Brahms
5 - Tchaikovsky (or Prokofiev)
6 - Mahler
7 - Vaughan Williams
8 - Dvorák (or Shostakovich)
9 - Schubert (or Bruckner)
10 - Shostakovich
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: NJ Joe on February 07, 2017, 04:05:02 PM
1. Brahms
2. Sibelius
3. Beethoven
4. Tchaikovsky
5. Vaughan Williams
6. Mahler
7. Schubert
8. Bruckner
9. Dvorak
10. Shostakovich
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Mirror Image on February 07, 2017, 07:12:58 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on February 07, 2017, 02:10:39 AM
I'm (genuinely) surprised by all the responses to this thread and have enjoyed reading them all.
:)

+1
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Trout on February 07, 2017, 08:40:36 PM
1. Mahler
2. Prokofiev
3. Atterberg
4. Ives
5. Schnittke
6. Beethoven
7. Sibelius
8. Bruckner
9. Dvořák
10. Shostakovich
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Mirror Image on February 08, 2017, 06:56:07 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 05, 2017, 12:19:23 PM
Here goes nothing:

1 -   Martinů
2 -   Rachmaninov
3 -   Nielsen
4 -   Sibelius
5 -   Vaughan Williams
6 -   Mahler
7 -   Rautavaara
8 -   Bruckner
9 -   Dvořák
10 - Shostakovich

If I'm allowed to make a secondary list, it would look like the following:

1 -   Walton
2 -   Elgar
3 -   Copland
4 -   Szymanowski
5 -   Nielsen
6 -   Vaughan Williams
7 -   Sibelius
8 -   Dvořák
9 -   Mahler
10 - Shostakovich
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Mirror Image on February 08, 2017, 07:01:09 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on February 05, 2017, 11:22:03 AM
Symphony 1: Walton
Symphony 2: A London Symphony (1913) by Vaughan Williams
Symphony 3: David Diamond
Symphony 4: Shostakovich
Symphony 5: Bax
Symphony 6: Miaskovsky
Symphony 7: Sibelius
Symphony 8: Havergal Brian
Symphony 9: Mahler
Symphony 10:Rubbra

Therefore Walton's First Symphony is my favourite first symphony, VW's 'A London Symphony' is my favourite second symphony. Get it? Stupid idea I know.  ::)
You can only choose a composer once.

Love your choice of David Diamond here, Jeffrey. I was just listening to his 3rd the other night and agree that it's absolutely marvelous from start-to-finish. I'd probably have chosen it myself, but there were too many other thirds standing in the way. :)
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: vandermolen on February 09, 2017, 12:42:08 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 08, 2017, 07:01:09 AM
Love your choice of David Diamond here, Jeffrey. I was just listening to his 3rd the other night and agree that it's absolutely marvelous from start-to-finish. I'd probably have chosen it myself, but there were too many other thirds standing in the way. :)
Thanks John - it's an unsung 'Great American Third Symphony'. American composers always write great third symphonies  8) ( actually that sounds like something Snoopy might say in Charlie Brown ( ::))
Anyway, yes it's great - it made me write a fan letter to the composer via Delos many years ago - although I gather he was supposed to be a bit 'difficult' he sent me a very sweet reply which I treasure. Well John, if you can do list No.2 so can I - especially as I am the supremo behind this thread. So, here goes:

No.1 Klaus Egge
No.2 Glazunov
No.3 Honegger  :)
No.4 Braga Santos
No.5 Weinberg
No.6 Vaughan Williams
No.7 Roy Harris
No.8 Vagn Holmboe
No.9 Bruckner
No. 10 Havergal Brian

Leaving out Copland's Third and Nielsen's Fifth was difficult.
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Madiel on February 09, 2017, 02:13:20 AM
I'm not sure I even have enough to go around without playing a bit fast and loose.

Which is depressing. I mean, I know I do technically have enough, but I'm not going to whack in an early Haydn that I've only just heard, or the Schumann ones I've just heard which I know I liked but which I can't immediately tell apart, or the Nielsen ones which I've just heard that are slightly blurred together.

So here's what I came up with from works where I can think "yes, that one, I know for certain which one I'm talking about". And being strategic to fill certain gaps.

Rachmaninov 1
Brahms 2
Vine 3
Nørgård 4
Nielsen 5
Sibelius 6
Dvorak 7
Beethoven 8
Holmboe 9
Shostakovich 10


But really that's rough as guts.
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Turner on February 09, 2017, 02:32:15 AM
Quote from: ørfeo on February 09, 2017, 02:13:20 AM
I'm not sure I even have enough to go around without playing a bit fast and loose.

(...)
Rachmaninov 1
Brahms 2
Vine 3
Nørgård 4
Nielsen 5
Sibelius 6
Dvorak 7
Beethoven 8
Holmboe 9
Shostakovich 10

But really that's rough as guts.

Very interesting, since I find Nørgård´s 4th by far his most difficult one (I have the Panula and Segerstam recordings).
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Madiel on February 09, 2017, 02:39:53 AM
Quote from: Turner on February 09, 2017, 02:32:15 AM
Very interesting, since I find Nørgård´s 4th by far his most difficult one (I have the Panula and Segerstam recordings).

Well, as I noted elsewhere, the recent Da Capo recording gets through the 2nd movement twice as fast as Segerstam does, making it into a radically different piece. I didn't listen to the whole of the Segerstam online, but I did listen to the transition between movements and... for me it just lacked the sense of contrast which is the whole point of the piece from what I've read.

For me, on a first run through all the symphonies, it was the one in transition between the more recognisably structured earlier symphonies and the very abstract late ones. And more than anything else I was extremely taken with the evocations of birds in the 1st movement. It was one of those things where I could just hear it, hear that it was a depiction of a garden.

There's also an element of picking it because it was a convenient slot for 4th. It's not genuinely my favourite 4th symphony, Beethoven and Sibelius would easily beat it. But I did like it a lot, it's not a "grit my teeth" kind of choice.
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Turner on February 09, 2017, 02:46:33 AM
Quote from: ørfeo on February 09, 2017, 02:39:53 AM
Well, as I noted elsewhere, the recent Da Capo recording gets through the 2nd movement twice as fast as Segerstam does, making it into a radically different piece. I didn't listen to the whole of the Segerstam online, but I did listen to the transition between movements and... for me it just lacked the sense of contrast which is the whole point of the piece from what I've read.

For me, on a first run through all the symphonies, it was the one in transition between the more recognisably structured earlier symphonies and the very abstract late ones. And more than anything else I was extremely taken with the evocations of birds in the 1st movement. It was one of those things where I could just hear it, hear that it was a depiction of a garden.

There's also an element of picking it because it was a convenient slot for 4th. It's not genuinely my favourite 4th symphony, Beethoven and Sibelius would easily beat it. But I did like it a lot, it's not a "grit my teeth" kind of choice.

I thought that it could might be related to the new recording  :)
I´m not the biggest fan of Segerstam, but I like his 5th (the only 5th I know), however for example I prefer Dausgaard in the 3rd, and Gardelli in the 1st.
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Madiel on February 09, 2017, 02:50:26 AM
I bought the Da Capo set lock, stock and barrel.

I haven't in general listened to other versions. However, I had listened to Segerstam's 3rd online, before listening to Dausgaard's the same way, and I responded to Dausgaard far more. That was in fact what made me interested in buying recordings.

EDIT: Now I'm feeling like listening to them all. Given the difficulty I'm likely to have sleeping in this heat, it might be a decent use of my time...
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Turner on February 09, 2017, 02:53:17 AM
Quote from: ørfeo on February 09, 2017, 02:50:26 AM
I bought the Da Capo set lock, stock and barrel.

I haven't in general listened to other versions. However, I had listened to Segerstam's 3rd online, before listening to Dausgaard's the same way, and I responded to Dausgaard far more. That was in fact what made me interested in buying recordings.

EDIT: Now I'm feeling like listening to them all. Given the difficulty I'm likely to have sleeping in this heat, it might be a decent use of my time...

Here, it´s too snowy and cold to get outdoors, if one can avoid it  :D
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Madiel on February 09, 2017, 02:58:41 AM
Quote from: Turner on February 09, 2017, 02:53:17 AM
Here, it´s too snowy and cold to get outdoors, if one can avoid it  :D

The next two days here, the forecast is 41C (106F). If it happens I think it will be the hottest I've ever personally experienced.
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Mirror Image on February 09, 2017, 05:41:27 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on February 09, 2017, 12:42:08 AM
Thanks John - it's an unsung 'Great American Third Symphony'. American composers always write great third symphonies  8) ( actually that sounds like something Snoopy might say in Charlie Brown ( ::))
Anyway, yes it's great - it made me write a fan letter to the composer via Delos many years ago - although I gather he was supposed to be a bit 'difficult' he sent me a very sweet reply which I treasure. Well John, if you can do list No.2 so can I - especially as I am the supremo behind this thread. So, here goes:

No.1 Klaus Egge
No.2 Glazunov
No.3 Honegger  :)
No.4 Braga Santos
No.5 Weinberg
No.6 Vaughan Williams
No.7 Roy Harris
No.8 Vagn Holmboe
No.9 Bruckner
No. 10 Havergal Brian

Leaving out Copland's Third and Nielsen's Fifth was difficult.

Very nice list, Jeffrey. 8) The only one I don't know (or haven't heard rather) is the Klaus Egge. I agree with you about the 'Great American Thirds'. If only Barber, had composed a third symphony. Now that would have been something!
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: vandermolen on February 10, 2017, 12:08:59 AM
Quote from: ørfeo on February 09, 2017, 02:13:20 AM
I'm not sure I even have enough to go around without playing a bit fast and loose.

Which is depressing. I mean, I know I do technically have enough, but I'm not going to whack in an early Haydn that I've only just heard, or the Schumann ones I've just heard which I know I liked but which I can't immediately tell apart, or the Nielsen ones which I've just heard that are slightly blurred together.

So here's what I came up with from works where I can think "yes, that one, I know for certain which one I'm talking about". And being strategic to fill certain gaps.

Rachmaninov 1
Brahms 2
Vine 3
Nørgård 4
Nielsen 5
Sibelius 6
Dvorak 7
Beethoven 8
Holmboe 9
Shostakovich 10


But really that's rough as guts.
The Rachmaninov Symphony 1 is a favourite of mine too. Must listen to the Vine No.3.
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: vandermolen on February 10, 2017, 12:11:37 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 09, 2017, 05:41:27 AM
Very nice list, Jeffrey. 8) The only one I don't know (or haven't heard rather) is the Klaus Egge. I agree with you about the 'Great American Thirds'. If only Barber, had composed a third symphony. Now that would have been something!
Thank you John - the Barber No.1 would be a candidate here too - my favourite work by him and I like the withdrawn Symphony 2 as well.
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Karl Henning on February 10, 2017, 05:17:41 AM
Quote from: ørfeo on February 09, 2017, 02:13:20 AM
I'm not sure I even have enough to go around without playing a bit fast and loose.

Which is depressing. I mean, I know I do technically have enough, but I'm not going to whack in an early Haydn that I've only just heard, or the Schumann ones I've just heard which I know I liked but which I can't immediately tell apart, or the Nielsen ones which I've just heard that are slightly blurred together.

So here's what I came up with from works where I can think "yes, that one, I know for certain which one I'm talking about". And being strategic to fill certain gaps.

Rachmaninov 1
Brahms 2
Vine 3
Nørgård 4
Nielsen 5
Sibelius 6
Dvorak 7
Beethoven 8
Holmboe 9
Shostakovich 10


But really that's rough as guts.

I cannot speak to the Vine or Nørgård.  But as to the rest, a perfectly solid list.
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Mirror Image on February 16, 2017, 06:58:14 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on February 10, 2017, 12:11:37 AM
Thank you John - the Barber No.1 would be a candidate here too - my favourite work by him and I like the withdrawn Symphony 2 as well.

I love both of Barber's symphonies. Symphony No. 2 is seriously underrated. I wish more conductors would make this symphony a part of their repertoire.
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 16, 2017, 07:15:07 PM
Quote from: Thatfabulousalien on February 16, 2017, 06:52:24 PM
I've tried but I just can't, it's hard to remember  ???


But I know my #1 would be Havergal Brian, #4 would be Korndorf or Ives and #9 would be Mahler, as for the rest  :-\

So much to choose from  :laugh:
Nørgård? Hersch? Davies? Gerhard? Henze? Schnittke? Stravinsky? Foss?

There are certainly heaps.......do you have a favourite Schnittke or Nørgård symphony which you could finalise on your list? ;)
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 16, 2017, 07:40:23 PM
Quote from: Thatfabulousalien on February 16, 2017, 07:23:16 PM
Norgard 5,6,7? Hersch? don't know him, Davies? not really, haven't heard Gerhard, all of Henze's are great (especially 5), Schnittke 1,2,6. Stravinsky Symp. in three movements, Foss? not really

There's seriously so much to choose from!  :-[

I think you'd really like Hersch
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: kyjo on September 20, 2017, 10:36:05 PM
Elgar 1
Rachmaninoff 2
Saint-Saens 3
Braga Santos 4
Atterberg 5
Vaughan Williams 6
Sibelius 7
Dvorak 8
Mahler 9
Shostakovich 10

...and an alternate list, 'cause why not?:

Martinu 1
Hanson 2
Honegger 3
Schmidt 4
Arnold 5
Bax 6
Beethoven 7
Glazunov 8
Bruckner 9
Holmboe 10

It really pained me to leave out Brahms and Nielsen, but the competition is just too stiff :( I hope you guys don't mind me resurrecting old polls, but they're just so fun! (and simultaneously frustrating ;D)
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: SymphonicAddict on September 21, 2017, 01:36:45 PM
Quote from: kyjo on September 20, 2017, 10:36:05 PM
Elgar 1
Rachmaninoff 2
Saint-Saens 3
Braga Santos 4
Atterberg 5
Vaughan Williams 6
Sibelius 7
Dvorak 8
Mahler 9
Shostakovich 10

...and an alternate list, 'cause why not?:

Martinu 1
Hanson 2
Honegger 3
Schmidt 4
Arnold 5
Bax 6
Beethoven 7
Glazunov 8
Bruckner 9
Holmboe 10

It really pained me to leave out Brahms and Nielsen, but the competition is just too stiff :( I hope you guys don't mind me resurrecting old polls, but they're just so fun! (and simultaneously frustrating ;D)

You're right, it's a curious mixture. Great lists indeed. To me, another alternative choice for the 10th symphony is the Langgaard's. Really very good. The E-flat minor key gives a sense of metaphysical power, and Langgaard knew how to use those ideas throughout the work.
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: bwv 1080 on September 22, 2017, 05:58:08 AM
1 Walton
2 Schumann
3 Lutoslawski
4 Brahms
5 Schnittke
6 Shostakovitch
7 Beethoven
8 Henze
9 Schubert
10 Mahler
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: kyjo on September 22, 2017, 06:15:37 AM
Quote from: bwv 1080 on September 22, 2017, 05:58:08 AM
6 Shostakovitch

Interesting choice! I really like Shostakovich 6 as well - an unfairly maligned work. The brooding first movement is one of his finest creations, and the next two movements, while great fun, are still full of substance.
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: bwv 1080 on September 22, 2017, 06:32:26 AM
Quote from: kyjo on September 22, 2017, 06:15:37 AM
The brooding first movement is one of his finest creations

Absolutely!
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: Mirror Image on September 22, 2017, 06:35:33 AM
Quote from: kyjo on September 22, 2017, 06:15:37 AM
Interesting choice! I really like Shostakovich 6 as well - an unfairly maligned work. The brooding first movement is one of his finest creations, and the next two movements, while great fun, are still full of substance.

Yes! Shostakovich's 6th doesn't get quite the love that it's predecessor or successor has received, but it's a fine work nonetheless. I'm sure it raised a few eyebrows when it was premiered because, perhaps, people were expecting another symphony on same scale as the 5th.
Title: Re: List favourite symphonies 1-10 by different composers:
Post by: kyjo on September 22, 2017, 03:29:42 PM
Quote from: SymphonicAddict on September 21, 2017, 01:36:45 PM
To me, another alternative choice for the 10th symphony is the Langgaard's. Really very good. The E-flat minor key gives a sense of metaphysical power, and Langgaard knew how to use those ideas throughout the work.

I'll definitely check it out! E-flat minor is a great key 8)