Idk...does what it says in the thread title.
I will specify the following: Some symphonies are listed as being in two "Parts". Not all of these necessarily count here. For instance, Mahler 8 and Tippett 3 would count as the two parts constitute continuous music despite often being subdivided further. Suk's Asrael Symphony or Mahler 3 don't count, as the two parts comprise multiple separate movements within each part. (Split 3-2 in Asrael and 1-5 in Mahler 3).
Some of my favourites:
Hartmann 6
Alwyn 2
Myaskovsky 7
Lajtha 5
Prokofiev 2
Lutoslawski 2
Schubert b minor (but this is a fragment certainly planned for 4 movements)
Hartmann 6
Rouse 3
Rouse 4
Saint-Saëns 3
And of course Jo claimed the most famous one of all.
Prokofiev 2
Saint-Saëns 3
Christopher Rouse 4
Sumera 1
Quote from: Maestro267 on July 12, 2021, 05:43:16 AM
Idk...does what it says in the thread title.
I will specify the following: Some symphonies are listed as being in two "Parts". Not all of these necessarily count here. For instance, Mahler 8 and Tippett 3 would count as the two parts constitute continuous music despite often being subdivided further. Suk's Asrael Symphony or Mahler 3 don't count, as the two parts comprise multiple separate movements within each part. (Split 3-2 in Asrael and 1-5 in Mahler 3).
Even the famous Saint-Saëns 3rd seems to be a standard four contrasting movements, rather than the marked overall two.
Alwyn: Symphony No.2
Pettersson: Symphony No.6 (apparently in one long movement actually)
Prokofiev: Symphony No.2
Gorecki: Symphony No.2 'Copernican'
Nielsen: Symphony No.5
Added later (following other's suggestions):
Creston: Symphony No.2
Schubert: Symphony No.8
Kinsella: Symphony No.3
Simpson 6 is an interesting case as a continuous span of music that the composer nevertheless conceptualised as two separate movements. Nielsen 5 is also an obvious choice, one that resists any further division into movements despite the frequent attempts by record companies to insist otherwise.
Of examples not mentioned yet, Holmboe 6 is one of his best, I think.
Nielsen 5 is the one that springs to mind first, sure there are others
I was not sure about Nielsen 5 because I think I have also seen subdivision on CD. And for the Saint-Saens I definitely took it as more than two de facto movements.
Another good one (a bit in the shadow of the one-movement first one) is Schoenberg's 2nd chamber symphony.
Quote from: Jo498 on July 12, 2021, 07:52:52 AM
I was not sure about Nielsen 5 because I think I have also seen subdivision on CD. And for the Saint-Saens I definitely took it as more than two de facto movements.
Another good one (a bit in the shadow of the one-movement first one) is Schoenberg's 2nd chamber symphony.
Nielsen really is just two movements. Some CDs have more than one track for the Finale but it is only one movement
Nielsen 5
Holmboe 6
Alwyn 2
Prokofiev 2
Schubert 8
Lutoslawski 2
Mahler 8
Havergal Brian 30
Schubert 8
Nielsen 5
Well, already mentioned:
- Pettersson 8
- Nielsen 5
- Gorecki 2
also:
- Pärt 1
I don't think Pettersson 6th is in two movements
Other two-movement symphonies worth mentioning:
Bentzon 4
Chávez 5
Creston 2
Eshpai 2
Kinsella 3
Lundquist 1
Norgard 3
Nystroem Sinfonia seria
Szymanowski 2
Toch 5
Tournemire 6
Quote from: MusicTurner on July 12, 2021, 09:06:52 AM
I don't think Pettersson 6th is in two movements
Me either. It's actually a massive single movement.
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on July 12, 2021, 09:13:35 AM
Other two-movement symphonies worth mentioning:
Bentzon 4
Chávez 5
Creston 2
Eshpai 2
Kinsella 3
Lundquist 1
Norgard 3
Nystroem Sinfonia seria
Szymanowski 2
Toch 5
Tournemire 6
Good call, some nice stuff there.
Webern's is in 2 movements. Somebody's favourite, surely?
I decided to swap out Pettersson 8 for Myaskovsky's 7th Symphony (in B minor)
Quote from: Maestro267 on July 12, 2021, 05:43:16 AM
Idk...does what it says in the thread title.
I will specify the following: Some symphonies are listed as being in two "Parts". Not all of these necessarily count here. For instance, Mahler 8 and Tippett 3 would count as the two parts constitute continuous music despite often being subdivided further. Suk's Asrael Symphony or Mahler 3 don't count, as the two parts comprise multiple separate movements within each part. (Split 3-2 in Asrael and 1-5 in Mahler 3).
Some of my favourites:
Hartmann 6
Alwyn 2
Myaskovsky 7
Lajtha 6
Prokofiev 2
Lutoslawski 2
The Lajtha is in 4 movements. Perhaps you meant the 5th.
Webern
Schubert 8th (the B minor)
Mahler 8th
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on July 12, 2021, 09:13:35 AM
Other two-movement symphonies worth mentioning:
Bentzon 4
Chávez 5
Creston 2
Eshpai 2
Kinsella 3
Lundquist 1
Norgard 3
Nystroem Sinfonia seria
Szymanowski 2
Toch 5
Tournemire 6
Some interesting choices, Cesar. I especially like the Chávez, Eshpai, Szymanowski and Nørgård. My own list would include K. A. Hartmann's 6th and William Schuman's 3rd. Another vote for the Webern, too. What a quirky work!
Quote from: MusicTurner on July 12, 2021, 09:06:52 AM
Well, already mentioned:
- Pettersson 8
- Nielsen 5
- Gorecki 2
also:
- Pärt 1
I don't think Pettersson 6th is in two movements
OK - I've amended that entry now and will add in Creston's Symphony No.2, Kinsella's 3rd Symphony and Schubert: Symphony No.8
Quote from: Mirror Image on July 12, 2021, 02:00:01 PM
Some interesting choices, Cesar. I especially like the Chávez, Eshpai, Szymanowski and Nørgård. My own list would include K. A. Hartmann's 6th and William Schuman's 3rd. Another vote for the Webern, too. What a quirky work!
Oh yes, I forgot the Schuman. A formidable example. I need to listen to the Webern, but yes, I don't hesitate it's peculiar!
Shoot, I forgot Schuman too but he totally makes my list.
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on July 12, 2021, 10:49:49 AM
The Lajtha is in 4 movements. Perhaps you meant the 5th.
Yes I did. It's mega confusing cos the two symphonies are on the same disc but in the wrong order.
Quote from: DaveF on July 12, 2021, 10:10:31 AM
Webern's is in 2 movements. Somebody's favourite, surely?
It's my favourite Symphony period.
The two that spring to mind immediately are Nielsen's 5th and Holmboe's 6th.
Mahler's 8th also qualifies, as do several by Brian: #22, #23, #26, #30.
Quote from: krummholz on July 28, 2021, 03:40:51 AM
The two that spring to mind immediately are Nielsen's 5th and Holmboe's 6th.
Precisely those are my favorites. Two outstanding Danish symphonies.