Poll
Question:
Which waltz do you prefer?
Option 1: Jean Sibelius: Valse triste, op.44 no.1
votes: 6
Option 2: Dmitri Shostakovich: Waltz No.2 from the Suite for Variety Orchestra (aka "Jazz Suite No.2")
votes: 5
Which of these two famous orchestral waltzes do you prefer? I think it's safe to say that neither of them is totally serious nor generally representative of the style of the composer, but I like them both. Call it a guilty pleasure. If pressed I think I would have to rock with the Shostakovich.
What do you think? Do you like these "bon-bons"? Do you hate them? Most importantly, which do you like better?
What an odd poll.
Sibelius
Sarge
Quote from: Mirror Image on July 10, 2020, 12:57:18 PM
What an odd poll.
Do you have any input on the question, or did you just come to the thread to trash my poll? ;D
Quote from: Mirror Image on July 10, 2020, 01:38:18 PM
I have to say I'm with you, Sarge.
I like the Shostakovich...but I
love the Sibelius.
Sarge
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on July 10, 2020, 01:53:28 PM
I like the Shostakovich...but I love the Sibelius.
Sarge
Yep, it's quite a little gem.
Quote from: vers la flamme on July 10, 2020, 12:49:58 PM
Which of these two famous orchestral waltzes do you prefer? I think it's safe to say that neither of them is totally serious nor generally representative of the style of the composer, but I like them both. Call it a guilty pleasure. If pressed I think I would have to rock with the Shostakovich.
What do you think? Do you like these "bon-bons"? Do you hate them? Most importantly, which do you like better?
Can you provide a link for the Shostakovich work? Comparison will be easier as I think most don't know it.
But for me the choice is easy: I never tire of
Valse triste. It's unsinkable.
Quote from: André on July 10, 2020, 04:26:14 PM
Can you provide a link for the Shostakovich work? Comparison will be easier as I think most don't know it.
But for me the choice is easy: I never tire of Valse triste. It's unsinkable.
Very good point, Andre.
I'll provide the samples:
Sibelius:
Valse triste, Op. 44https://www.youtube.com/v/Bi4OnSPc3Yc
Shostakovich:
Waltz II from the
Jazz Suite No. 2https://www.youtube.com/v/WaKdPgkTZ7M
The first time I heard the Shosty waltz was when watching a pairs figure skating performance at the World's a dozen years ago. Perfect pacing, perfect timing (just over 3 minutes) for that kind of thing.
Quote from: André on July 10, 2020, 04:26:14 PM
Can you provide a link for the Shostakovich work? Comparison will be easier as I think most don't know it.
But for me the choice is easy: I never tire of Valse triste. It's unsinkable.
Really? I was under the impression it was one of Shosty's most well known pieces. I knew it before I ever knew anything about classical music. It's in Eyes Wide Shut.
Y'all may be swaying me to the other side. The Valse Triste is definitely a nice little work.
(@MI, thank you for saving me the trouble of providing samples)
I think everybody knows the tune, but don't know it's from Shostakovich ;).
Neither. If "serious", I'd prefer La valse by some margin. If "light", I'd prefer lots of Strauss etc. waltzes If in between, I'd rather go with the waltzes from Tchaikowsky Balletts.
Third movement of Dvořák's 8th Symphony. For all categories of "serious", "light" and "in between".
I voted for the Shostakovich in this particular head-to-head though.
The Dvorak's a nice piece, to be sure. The whole symphony is, for that matter.
I'm fond of Tchaikovsky's waltz in the sixth. Come on! A waltz in five? What a hoot!!
And, speaking of hoots, surely the hootiest waltz is the one in Nielsen's sixth.