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The Music Room => General Classical Music Discussion => Topic started by: Danny on May 17, 2007, 12:57:24 PM

Title: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Danny on May 17, 2007, 12:57:24 PM
Everyone else is doing it!

1 )  Dvorak No. 9
2 )  Shostakovich No. 10
3 )  Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique
4 )  Prokofiev No. 5
5 )  Mahler No. 5
6 )  Mozart No 41
7 )  Brahms No. 4
8 )  Bruckner No. 6
9 )  Stravinsky Symphony in Three Movements
10) Schubert No 9
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Don on May 17, 2007, 01:04:39 PM
1.  Mahler's 4th
2.  Berlioz's Sym. Fantastique
3.  Shostakovich's 10th
4.  Beethoven's 9th
5.  Mozart's 39th
6.  Bruckner's 7th
7.  Bruckner's 9th
8.  Shostakovich's 8th
9.  Mahler's 3rd
10. Mahler's 6th
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: BachQ on May 17, 2007, 01:16:40 PM
1. Beethoven 9
2. Bruckner 8
3. Brahms 4
4. Mahler 2
5. Bruckner 9
6. Tchaikovsky 5
7. Mozart 41
8. Shosty 5
9. Mahler 6/3/9
10. Brahms 1/3

Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on May 17, 2007, 01:16:48 PM
Today its...

Mahler #2
Beethoven #3
Brahms #1
Gorecki #3
Vaughan-Williams #4
Shostakovich #7
Mendelshonn #3
Wagner C Maj
Nielsen #4

and ummm...


Haydn #102  :)
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Mark on May 17, 2007, 01:22:58 PM
As ever, extremely difficult to select a definitive Top Ten. So I went for the ten symphonies I most often reach for from my shelves, and assembled these into order of listening preference.

1. Beethoven's No. 3
2. Bantock's 'Celtic'
3. Brahms' No. 1
4. Saint-Saens' No. 3
5. Beethoven's No. 9
6. Dvorak's No. 9
7. Sibelius' No. 3
8. Elgar's No. 1
9. Shostakovich's No. 11
10. Haydn's No. 6

If you asked for an 11th choice, I'd go with the Walton No. 1.
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Michel on May 17, 2007, 01:24:09 PM
How on earth can Haydn's 6th be on there, thats crazy.
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Don on May 17, 2007, 01:27:27 PM
Quote from: Michel on May 17, 2007, 01:24:09 PM
How on earth can Haydn's 6th be on there, thats crazy.

But it is at the bottom of his list. :)
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: cx on May 17, 2007, 01:30:18 PM
Bruckner's 8th
Bruckner's 9th
Beethoven's 9th
Hartmann's 6th
Webern's Op.21
Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique
Shostakovich's 8th
Prokofiev's 6th
Sibelius' 4th
Nielsen's 4th
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Todd on May 17, 2007, 01:40:59 PM
1.) Beethoven 3
2.) Mahler 9
3.) Brahms 2
4.) Bruckner 8
5.) Beethoven 6
6.) Beethoven 9
7.) Schubert 3
8.) Haydn 104
9.) Mahler 4
10.) Szymanowski 3
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: 71 dB on May 17, 2007, 01:53:22 PM
Top 10 symphonies? Let's see...

Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: BachQ on May 17, 2007, 02:01:00 PM
Quote from: 71 dB on May 17, 2007, 01:53:22 PM
Top 10 symphonies?


  • Elgar 2
  • Elgar 1
  • Elgar/Payne 3

I forgot those . . . . . . gotta redo my list . . . . . . .
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Steve on May 17, 2007, 02:11:22 PM
1. Beethoven No. 3
2. Shostakovich No. 10
3. Mahler No. 9
4. Beethoven No. 7
5. Brahms No. 4
6. Sibelius No. 2
7. Mahler No. 3
8. Shostakovich No. 15
9. Brahms No. 1
10. Schubert No. 9
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: PerfectWagnerite on May 17, 2007, 02:23:21 PM
Mahler: Sym. 1-10, in no particular order.
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: hornteacher on May 17, 2007, 02:25:10 PM
Oh boy another "list" thread.  I love 'em!  Keep them comming!

1- Beethoven 9th
2- Dvorak 9th
3- Beethoven 5th
4- Mozart 40th
5- Beethoven 7th
6- Dvorak 8th
7- Beethoven 3rd
8- Mozart 36th
9- Brahms 1st
10- Copland's 3rd
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: not edward on May 17, 2007, 03:12:03 PM
Let's see:

Mahler 6
Mahler 9
Bruckner 9
Bruckner 7
Beethoven 8
Sibelius 4
Nielsen 5
Prokofiev 6
Hartmann 6
Brahms 4

That'll do for a first iteration, anyway. ;)
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: quintett op.57 on May 17, 2007, 03:19:37 PM
Quote from: Michel on May 17, 2007, 01:24:09 PM
How on earth can Haydn's 6th be on there, thats crazy.
Why? That's a great work
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: AB68 on May 17, 2007, 03:20:59 PM
Mahler 3
Bruckner 8
Beethoven 7
Brahms 1
Mozart 40
Tchaikovsky 6
Mahler 6
Bruckner 7
Schumann 4
Mozart 35
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: quintett op.57 on May 17, 2007, 03:29:32 PM
It could be different next month.
In chronological order:

Haydn 96
Haydn 104
Beethoven 6
Harold in Italy
Bruckner 5
Bruckner 9
Nielsen 3
Shostakovich 7
Shostakovich 10
Pettersson 7

Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: karlhenning on May 17, 2007, 03:47:42 PM
Today, in no strict order . . . .

[1] Shostakovich Fourth
[2] Sibelius Sixth
[3] Vaughan Williams Sixth
[4] Tchaikovsky Fourth
[5] Prokofiev Second
[6] Shostakovich Tenth
[7] Stravinsky Symphonies of Wind Instruments (how's that for cheating?)
[8] Berlioz Romeo & Juliet
[9] Dutilleux Symphony No. 2 Le double
[10] Prokofiev Symphony-Concerto for Cello and Orchestra
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: mahlertitan on May 17, 2007, 03:51:41 PM
1. Mozart 40
2. Mahler 1
3. Bruckner 4
4. Bruckner7
5. Bruckner 9
6. Beethoven 3
7. Schubert 5
8. Schubert 8
9. Schubert 9
10. Mahler 9
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: BachQ on May 17, 2007, 03:55:23 PM
Quote from: karlhenning on May 17, 2007, 03:47:42 PM
Today, in no strict order . . . .

[1] Shostakovich Fourth
[2] Sibelius Sixth
[3] Vaughan Williams Sixth
[4] Tchaikovsky Fourth
[5] Prokofiev Second
[6] Shostakovich Tenth
[7] Stravinsky Symphonies of Wind Instruments (how's that for cheating?)
[8] Berlioz Romeo & Juliet
[9] Dutilleux Symphony No. 2 Le double
[10] Prokofiev Symphony-Concerto for Cello and Orchestra

BEHOLD: All of the Germans and Austrians . . . . . . .
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: karlhenning on May 17, 2007, 04:11:17 PM
Quote from: D Minor on May 17, 2007, 03:55:23 PM
BEHOLD: All of the Germans and Austrians . . . . . . .

(Gosh! And I did listen to a couple of Beethoven symphonies earlier . . . .)

I certainly do enjoy all the Beethoven and Brahms symphonies, for instance;  I just find them such well-trodden ground, my ears are seldom afire to hear them.

Not never, mind you;  but seldom, especially compared to others.
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: BachQ on May 17, 2007, 04:13:44 PM
Quote from: karlhenning on May 17, 2007, 04:11:17 PM
(Gosh! And I did listen to a couple of Beethoven symphonies earlier . . . .)

I certainly do enjoy all the Beethoven and Brahms symphonies, for instance;  I just find them such well-trodden ground, my ears are seldom afire to hear them.

Not never, mind you;  but seldom, especially compared to others.

I see that you cheated with the sublime Prokofiev Symphony-Concerto for Cello and Orchestra . . . . . .  :D  Great choice . . . . .
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: DetUudslukkelige on May 17, 2007, 04:18:47 PM
As of today (It will be different tomorrow):

1. Beethoven' 9th
2. Dvorak's 7th
3. Nielsen's 4th (I bet you didn't see that coming)
4. Brahms' 4th
5. Beethoven's 7th
6. Bruckner's 8th
7. Nielsen's 3rd
8. Berlioz Harold in Italy
9. Beethoven's 3rd
10. Dvorak's 9th

I feel like I should have a Mahler or a Mozart on here... but I can't find any on here I want to take off. And now I'm looking at other peoples' lists and thinking things like "Ooh, Bruckner 4, Is there a place for that?". I like them all, what can I say?
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Bogey on May 17, 2007, 04:31:18 PM
To quote David: "As of today":

Bruckner No. 4
Beethoven No. 3
Beethoven No. 5
Mozart No. 39
Haydn No. 77
Sibelius No. 1
Copland No. 3
Brahms No. 1
Boyce No. 1
Honneger No. 2

and an honorable mention for:

Dukas Symphony in C Major
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: johnshade on May 17, 2007, 04:47:05 PM
~
Beethoven #3
Beethoven #6
Beethoven #9
Brahms #1
Mozart #40
Mozart #25
Strauss Alpine
Mahler #2
Tchaikovsky #6
Elgar #1
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: DavidW on May 17, 2007, 04:57:21 PM
Well I know that Sibelius 6th goes on the list.  I'll fill in the rest of the list later. :)
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: George on May 17, 2007, 05:07:20 PM
(in no particular order)

Beethoven 6
Mahler's 6
Tchaikovsky 6
Rachmaninov 2
Shostakovich 5
Mozart 41
Prokofiev 1
Gorecki 3
Schubert Unfinished
Brahms 3

Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Israfel the Black on May 17, 2007, 05:09:20 PM
1. Sibelius No. 7
2. Bruckner No. 9
3. Beethoven No. 7
4. Bruckner No. 3
5. Tchaikovsky No. 6
6. Shostakovitch No. 5
7. Sibelius No. 3
8. Mahler No. 1
9. Bruckner No. 4
10. Mahler No. 9
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: rw1883 on May 17, 2007, 05:15:09 PM
As of 8:13 CST...and in no particular order...
1) Sibelius 2
2) Bruckner 5
3) Bruckner 8
4) Braga Santos 4
5) Beethoven 9
6) Pettersson 6
7) Pettersson 9
8) Schubert 9
9) Mahler 2
10) Tchaikovsky 6 & Bruckner 6

Paul
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: PaulR on May 17, 2007, 05:18:49 PM
1. Shostakovich 10
2. Shostakovich 13
3  Beethoven 7
4. Berlioz Symphony Fantastique
5. Schumann 4th
6. Shostakovich 5
7. Schumann 3
8. Tchaikovsky 6th
9. Tchaikovsky 5th
10. Dvorak 7th
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: beclemund on May 17, 2007, 06:49:37 PM
I haven't heard nearly enough of certain composers to make a fair list, but so far:

Dvorak 9
Bruckner 3
Bruckner 8
Beethoven 9
Mahler 6
Shostakovich 10
Prokofiev 6
Bruckner 9
Beethoven 3
Rachmaninov 2

But it could all change in a week. ;)
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Bogey on May 17, 2007, 06:52:59 PM
Quote from: johnshade on May 17, 2007, 04:47:05 PM

Strauss Alpine


Nice call!
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Greta on May 17, 2007, 07:06:50 PM
Quote from: D Minor on May 17, 2007, 01:16:40 PM
9. Mahler 6/3/9

Hehe, that's the way to to go, D Minor! ;D If I used the same method, my #1 would be Mahler 5/2/3.

But, I'll resist the urge, and for today say:

1) Mahler 5
2) Shostakovich 5
3) Tchaikovsky 5
4) Sibelius 2
5) Mahler 2
6) Sibelius 7
7) Adams' Harmonielehre
8) Lutoslawski 3
9) Haydn 101
10) Messiaen Turangalila

Edit: I just noticed if you put a 8 with a parenthesis, it turns into Mr. Sunglasses, also happened to someone above me. But I'm leaving it because for my #8 it's rather appropriate! :)
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: rubio on May 17, 2007, 10:41:05 PM
For the symphonies I have concentrated on so far (with performances). This means that I almost haven't listened to Dvorak's, Prokofiev's, Vaughan Williams' and Nielsen's symphonies (except for the 5th), and when it comes to Sibelius I need to listen more.

1. Beethoven 7th (Karajan 63 DG, haven't listened to the Monteux yet)
2. Bruckner 8th (Jochum DG)
3. Mahler 6th (Boulez DG)
4. Beethoven 3rd (Karajan 63 DG, haven't listened to Klemperer/E. Kleiber yet)
5. Shostakovich 8th (Mravinsky BBC Legends)
6. Brahms 3rd (Furtwangler DG)
7. Haydn 104th (Beecham EMI)
8. Schubert 8th (Sinopoli DG)
9. Nielsen 5th (Blomstedt Decca)
10. Tchaikovsky 5th (Mravinsky DG stereo)
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: anasazi on May 17, 2007, 11:47:28 PM
Earliest to latest order I guess:

Mozart #39
Beethoven #3
Beethoven #7
Schumann #1
Brahms #1
Bruckner #3
Sibelius #5
Rachmaninoff #2
Vaughan Williams #5
Prokofiev #6
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: val on May 18, 2007, 01:03:43 AM
BEETHOVEN 7
BRUCKNER 8
BRUCKNER 9
BRAHMS 4
SCHUBERT 8
MOZART 40
BEETHOVEN 9
SCHUBERT 9
BRUCKNER 5
MAHLER 6
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: from the new world on May 18, 2007, 01:29:03 AM
Mahler 9
Bruckner 8
Mahler 6
Bruckner 5
Mahler 5
Bruckner 9
Mahler 7
Bruckner 7
Mahler 8
Rott Symphony in E major
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Grazioso on May 18, 2007, 03:49:06 AM
1) Pettersson 7

2-10) misc. works by the usual suspects
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Sergeant Rock on May 18, 2007, 04:23:54 AM
Havergal Brian - Symphony #1 D minor "Gothic"

Rued Langgaard - Symphony #4 "Fall of the Leaf"

Jean Sibelius - Symphony #5 E flat

Johannes Brahms - Symphony #4 E minor

Gustav Mahler - Symphony #6 A minor

Albéric Magnard - Symphony #4 C sharp minor

Anton Bruckner - Symphony #3 D minor (original version)

Franz Schmidt - Symphony #1 E major

Wilhelm Stenhammar - Symphony #2 G minor

Roy Harris - Symphony #3

Dmitri Shostakovich - Symphony #15 A major


Sarge
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: 71 dB on May 18, 2007, 04:25:47 AM
I'm surprised so few people have Elgar symphonies in their top 10 list. I wonder where people put Elgar symphonies in their lists? Top 100?

Quote from: Greta on May 17, 2007, 07:06:50 PM
Edit: I just noticed if you put a 8 with a parenthesis, it turns into Mr. Sunglasses, also happened to someone above me.

Old forum technicality.  ;)
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Sergeant Rock on May 18, 2007, 04:32:44 AM
Quote from: 71 dB on May 18, 2007, 04:25:47 AM
I'm surprised so few people have Elgar symphonies in their top 10 list. I wonder where people put Elgar symphonies in their lists? Top 100?

If it were a Top 20 list Elgar would have made the cut...I'd choose the Second but I love the First and Third too.

Sarge
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: bwv 1080 on May 18, 2007, 04:54:50 AM
Mozart Linz
Mahler 6
Mahler 9
Stravinsky Sym in C
Dutilleux Metaboles
Messiaen Les Canyons
Carter Symphonia
Carter Symphony of 3 orch
Luto 3
Schnittke 5
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Greta on May 18, 2007, 04:59:08 AM
Quote from: Grazioso1) Pettersson 7

Yep, I know how you feel. A recent favorite of mine. It was at my #10 until I realized I didn't even have one Haydn....

And Elgar 2nd was the next after.
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: karlhenning on May 18, 2007, 05:29:31 AM
Quote from: 71 dB on May 18, 2007, 04:25:47 AM
I'm surprised so few people have Elgar symphonies in their top 10 list. I wonder where people put Elgar symphonies in their lists? Top 100?

Tough call.  Possibly Top 50.  Definitely my Top 100, though, so perhaps a simple yes will serve here.
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: greg on May 18, 2007, 05:49:19 AM
1- Mahler 9
2- Mahler 2
3- Gorecki 3
4- Mahler 10
5- Mahler 6
6- Mahler 3
7- Brahms 1
8- Brahms 4
9-  Brahms 2
10- Mahler 7 (just for the 1st movement)
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: greg on May 18, 2007, 05:55:04 AM
here's my list if Mahler never existed:

1- Gorecki 3
2- Brahms 1
3- Brahms 4
4- Brahms 2
5- Brahms 3
6- Prokofiev 5
7- Prokofiev 2
8- Scriabin 4
9- Scriabin 5
10- Shostakovich 14
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: karlhenning on May 18, 2007, 05:58:26 AM
Quote from: greg on May 18, 2007, 05:55:04 AM
here's my list if Mahler never existed:

What's Mahler?  8)

;D

:)
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: greg on May 18, 2007, 05:59:33 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on May 18, 2007, 05:58:26 AM
What's Mahler?  8)

;D

:)
wtf....... sounds like a person who goes to the mall.... you plan on coining that word?
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: marvinbrown on May 18, 2007, 06:07:49 AM

   My top symphonies:

   1) Beethoven 5 & 9  Tie for 1st Place (I won't choose  >:(...not now...... not ever)
   2) Mozart 40 (for sentimental reasons)
   3) Mozart 41 (for obvious reasons)
   4) Mozart 25 (I have always had a soft spot for this one)
   5) Beethoven 3 & 6 & 7 (Eroica, Pastoral, and lets name the 7th Remarkable shall we?)
   6) Tchaikovsky 6 (do we really need to justfy this one?)
   7) Brahms 3   (this one took me by surprise, can't stop playing it....delightfull)
   8 ) Schubert 8 Unfinished (perfect as it is ......unfinished)
   9) Beethoven 8
  10) Brahms 2

   Bascially....Beethoven = Symphony 'nuff said!

   PS (notice how Mahler is deliberately absent from the list  ;D)

   marvin
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: dtwilbanks on May 18, 2007, 06:08:34 AM
No order, except the first one.

LvB 9
Brahms 4
Mahler 1
LvB 7
LvB 5
Dvorak 9
Mahler 2

Well, that's seven anyway.  :-\
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: greg on May 18, 2007, 06:09:51 AM
then again, Ubloobideega's 171st is pretty good....... it should make it on my list  :-\
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: karlhenning on May 18, 2007, 06:23:55 AM
Quote from: dtwilbanks on May 18, 2007, 06:08:34 AM
Well, that's seven anyway.  :-\

Dave, Dave!  ;)
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: dtwilbanks on May 18, 2007, 06:26:42 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on May 18, 2007, 06:23:55 AM
Dave, Dave!  ;)

I've heard dozens of others, but I don't really listen to them very much.

I'm a chamber-sized guy.

[oops, that came out wrong]  ;D
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: DavidW on May 18, 2007, 06:38:12 AM
Quote from: dtwilbanks on May 18, 2007, 06:08:34 AM
No order, except the first one.

LvB 9
Brahms 4
Mahler 1
LvB 7
LvB 5
Dvorak 9
Mahler 2

Well, that's seven anyway.  :-\

Well that's better than my list, I have only one so far! ;D
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: karlhenning on May 18, 2007, 06:43:13 AM
Today, in no strict order . . . .

[1] Shostakovich Fifteenth
[2] Sibelius Fourth
[3] Vaughan Williams Third
[4] Tchaikovsky Fifth
[5] Prokofiev Seventh
[6] Shostakovich Fourteenth
[7] Stravinsky Symphony in C
[8] Nielsen Third
[9] Sibelius Seventh
[10] Nielsen Fourth
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: 71 dB on May 18, 2007, 07:00:57 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on May 18, 2007, 04:32:44 AM
If it were a Top 20 list Elgar would have made the cut...I'd choose the Second but I love the First and Third too.

Sarge

Okay. Acceptable.  ;)

Quote from: karlhenning on May 18, 2007, 05:29:31 AM
Tough call.  Possibly Top 50.  Definitely my Top 100, though, so perhaps a simple yes will serve here.

Considering what Elgar's symphonies mean to me I can't imagine a heaven where there would be 50 even better symphonies!  :o
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: beclemund on May 18, 2007, 07:02:57 AM
Quote from: 71 dB on May 18, 2007, 04:25:47 AM
I'm surprised so few people have Elgar symphonies in their top 10 list. I wonder where people put Elgar symphonies in their lists? Top 100?

Honestly, I'm not familiar with his symphonies... Does anyone have an opinion on this recording?

(http://cover6.cduniverse.com/MuzeAudioArt/Large/94/451894.jpg)
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: 71 dB on May 18, 2007, 07:26:03 AM
Quote from: beclemund on May 18, 2007, 07:02:57 AM
Honestly, I'm not familiar with his symphonies... Does anyone have an opinion on this recording?

I am not familiar with that recording but I can recommend Elgar symphonies on Naxos.

First: George Hurst - 8.550634
Second: Sir Edward Downes - 8.550635
Third (elaborated by Anthony Payne): Paul Daniel - 8.554719
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: The new erato on May 18, 2007, 08:27:16 AM
I watched Blade Runner yesterday and discovered who db 71 was - is your user name from that movie?
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: 71 dB on May 18, 2007, 08:45:32 AM
Quote from: erato on May 18, 2007, 08:27:16 AM
I watched Blade Runner yesterday and discovered who db 71 was - is your user name from that movie?

I haven't seen Blade Runner for a long time and I don't remember such a character in the movie. My username comes from the fact that I was born in 1971 and I am an acoustics engineer, hence dB (decibel). Small d, capital B (comes from the name Alexander Graham Bell).

71 dB is a typical sound pressure level for audible speak.
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: The new erato on May 18, 2007, 08:53:36 AM
db 71 was a code identifier for a genetic manipulator discovered on some snake skin found by Harrison Ford - had always thought your signature had with deci Bells to do, but when I saw it I thought I had to ask.
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: BachQ on May 18, 2007, 09:19:59 AM
Today's 10

Bruckner 9
Brahms 4
Mozart 41
Beethoven 7
Mahler 2
Mahler 3
Mahler 6
Marhler 9
Pettersson 7
Dvorak 7
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Bonehelm on May 18, 2007, 09:23:11 AM
Beethoven 9
Beethoven 7
Beethoven 5
Beethoven 3
Tchaikovsky 6
Tchaikovsky 5
Mozart 40
Mozart 41
Hadyn 94
Mahler 2

In roughly that order...
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: bhodges on May 18, 2007, 09:28:27 AM
Today's 10 (in no particular order).  The Bruckner and Mahler Eighths would probably be on the list every day, but otherwise, all are up for grabs.  Alas, today: no Schnittke, Lutoslawski, Haydn, Tchaikovsky, Sibelius...and just last Sunday I heard the Mozart Jupiter with Levine and the MET Orchestra in a performance that made me think I need to hear this more often.

Bruckner: 8
Mahler: 8
Mahler: 6
Mahler: 2
Shostakovich: 6
Prokofiev: 3
Berio: Sinfonia
Brahms: 4
Dvorak: 6
Beethoven: 9

--Bruce
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Bunny on May 18, 2007, 09:55:25 AM
In no particular order:

Beethoven: 9, 3
Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde, 6
Mozart: 40, 41
Brahms: 1
Haydn: La Reine
Dvorak: 9
Schubert: 9
Sibelius: Kullervo
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: karlhenning on May 18, 2007, 10:15:56 AM
Quote from: Bunny on May 18, 2007, 09:55:25 AM
Sibelius: Kullervo

Hah! That's really a sort-of-oratorio!  ;)
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Danny on May 18, 2007, 10:19:49 AM
I can't believe I forgot Tchaikovksy's Fifth!  And Beethoven's Ninth!  Hmmmmm............

11) Beethoven No 9
12) Tchaikovsky No 5
13) Mahler No 1
14) Prokofiev 'Classical'
15) Bruckner No 4
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Danny on May 18, 2007, 10:46:00 AM
And Sibelius!  Aaaaaaaaaaarggggggh!

16) Sibelius Fourth
17) Sibelius Second
18) Beethoven Sixth
19) Mahler No. 9
20) Mendelssohn Italian
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: JoshLilly on May 18, 2007, 10:50:37 AM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on May 17, 2007, 01:16:48 PM
...
Wagner C Maj
...


Dang, amazing to actually see someone loves this symphony as much as I do. I've even talked to Wagner fans who weren't even aware of its existence. I think it's one of the best symphonies I've heard in my entire life. I might even include it on my top 10 list at this time, if I were able to force myself to make one.

Sorry about the semi-derailment, but that's an unusual and delightful discovery to me, for someone to list this work.


EDIT: Someone asked in astonishment how someone could put F.J. Haydn's 6th on such a list. Allow me to divert some of that stunned wonder my way.  ;) My favourite symphony of his.
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Harry on May 18, 2007, 10:52:11 AM
Is a top thousand possibly. ;D
So much choice.
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Nunc Dimittis on May 18, 2007, 11:04:06 AM
This week's top ten

Mozart 40
Vaughan Williams 6
Pettersson 7
Bax 3
Walton 1
Diamond 2
Mennin 7
Shostakovich 8
Stravinsky Sym. in 3 mvts.
Sibelius 5
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Christo on May 19, 2007, 04:29:32 AM
Today, but only at this hour, the Top Ten are (in alphabetical order:)

Andriessen 3
Beethoven 3
Brian 1 ('Gothic')
Braga Santos 4
Holmboe 8
Nielsen 5
Shostakovich 15
Tubin 6
Vaughan Williams 6
Vermeulen 2


Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: gomro on May 19, 2007, 05:55:48 AM
At present the top ten are:

Hanson 3rd
Shostakovich 5th
Yoshimatsu 4th
Yashiro
Messiaen "Turangalila"
Gerhard 3rd "Collages"
Wuorinen "Two Part Symphony"
Akutagawa "Allora"
Beethoven 9th
Vaughan Williams 7th "Antartica"

That could change at any moment.
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Xenophanes on May 19, 2007, 06:50:17 AM
I'll go for the ones I have listened to most lately, not claim that they are all the greatest.  Preferences and circumstances play a part as well. Mostly no particular order.

1) Beethoven 9 -- well, we performed this on May 12, so I had to listen to 4th movement a lot. 

2) Beethoven 6 -- I just love it.

3) Rachmaninoff 2

4) Mozart 35 -- the Haffner is a really wonderful work.

5) Mozart 41

6) Schubert 9

7) Sibelius 5

8) Haydn 22 -- Hey! It's the Philosopher.

9) Brahms 4 (or maybe 1)

10) Haydn 82 "L'ours"

Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Papy Oli on May 19, 2007, 07:09:42 AM
My favorites :

1 - Mahler 2
2 - Mahler 1
3 - Schubert 8
4 - Brahms 4
5 - Mahler 6
6 - Mahler 5
7 - Beethoven 9
8 - Dvorak 9
9 - Gorecki 3
10 - the next ones i'll discover

:)
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: S709 on May 19, 2007, 08:20:58 AM
Quote from: Mark on May 17, 2007, 01:22:58 PM
10. Haydn's No. 6

Indeed "Le Matin" is beautiful.

Quote from: Bogey on May 17, 2007, 04:31:18 PM
Boyce No. 1

That is a gem!

Quote from: Xenophanes on May 19, 2007, 06:50:17 AM
8) Haydn 22 -- Hey! It's the Philosopher.
10) Haydn 82 "L'ours"

Those are wonderful. I love the conclusion of "L'ours" and the opening of "Der Philosoph" especially.


Mine, done by randomly choosing which 'first comes to mind' and then arranging (which is pretty hard):

1. Gustav Mahler: No. 5
2. Gustav Mahler: No. 9
3. Gustav Mahler: No. 6
4. Franz Joseph Haydn: No. 63 "La Roxelane"
5. Gloria Coates: No. 14 "Symphony in Microtones"
6. Dmitri Shostakovich: No. 8
7. Allan Pettersson: No. 8
8. Malcolm Arnold: No. 7
9. Alfred Schnittke: No. 4
10. Allan Pettersson: No. 14


... and if I may be indulgent, the ones that didn't make the top 10 list:

Franz Joseph Haydn: No. 88
Mieczyslaw Weinberg: No. 18
Allan Pettersson: No. 6
Witold Lutoslawski: No. 3
Allan Pettersson: No. 7
Allan Pettersson: No. 13
Ludwig van Beethoven: No. 7
Anton Bruckner: No. 4
Jean Sibelius: No. 6
Ralph Vaughan Williams: No. 5
Franz Joseph Haydn: No. 80
Dmitri Shostakovich: No. 11
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: No. 5
Allan Pettersson: No. 9
Kalevi Aho: No. 7 "Insect Symphony"
Takashi Yoshimatsu: No. 4
Gavriil Nikolayevich Popov: No. 1

... and well I could list a lot more of Haydn's which I love.

Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Bogey on May 19, 2007, 08:36:37 AM
Quote from: 71 dB on May 18, 2007, 08:45:32 AM
My username comes from the fact that I was born in 1971 and I am an acoustics engineer, hence dB (decibel). Small d, capital B (comes from the name Alexander Graham Bell).

71 dB is a typical sound pressure level for audible speak.

That's awesome....very cool.
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: George on May 19, 2007, 09:10:58 AM
Quote from: Bogey on May 19, 2007, 08:36:37 AM
That's awesome....very cool.

I think so as well.  :)
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: 71 dB on May 19, 2007, 09:18:58 AM
Thanks Bogey & George!  ;)
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: btpaul674 on May 19, 2007, 02:05:53 PM
1. Vaughan Williams 8
2. Sibelius 7
3. Braga Santos 2
4. Norgard 3
5. Tubin 2
6. Rautavaara 5
7. Allan-Pettersson 7
8. Ruders 1
9. Atterburg 8
10. Bax 1
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: quintett op.57 on May 19, 2007, 02:16:42 PM
Quote from: Xantus' Murrelet on May 19, 2007, 08:20:58 AM
... and well I could list a lot more of Haydn's which I love.
Obviously, no composer could have as many works as Haydn mentioned in this thread ! ;)
so far:
102
104 (3 times)
6
96
77
101
98
85
22
82
63
But it seems he's still too neglected. Or maybe people don't know how to choose one.
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Lethevich on May 19, 2007, 05:55:52 PM
Quote from: quintett op.57 on May 19, 2007, 02:16:42 PM
Obviously, no composer could have as many works as Haydn mentioned in this thread ! ;)

[...]

But it seems he's still too neglected. Or maybe people don't know how to choose one.

Yep. If I could choose something like the Paris set as one choice, that would be high on the list, but he would rarely make my top 10 for single symphonies as I like too many (plus to some degree I find them a bit more interchangable than later composers).
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: The new erato on May 20, 2007, 01:17:05 AM
Quote from: quintett op.57 on May 19, 2007, 02:16:42 PM
Obviously, no composer could have as many works as Haydn mentioned in this thread ! ;)
so far:
102
104 (3 times)
6
96
77
101
98
85
22
82
63
But it seems he's still too neglected. Or maybe people don't know how to choose one.

No 88? Perhaps my favorite!
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Lilas Pastia on May 20, 2007, 06:38:39 AM
In rough chronological order:

Haydn 82
Beethoven 3
Schubert 2
Brahms 4
Bruckner 5
Bruckner 9
Elgar 1
Sibelius 5
Stravinsky: symphony in 3 movements
Pettersson 6

Just about every other mentioned in this thread can be counted a runner up! :D
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: techniquest on May 20, 2007, 07:40:23 AM
What a great thread. My list currently looks like this:

Mahler 2
Vaughan Williams 2 (London)
Prokofiev 5
Mahler 8
Shostakovich 11
Walton 1
Khachaturian 2
Rachmaninov 1
Nielsen 4
Beethoven 7


Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: greg on May 20, 2007, 11:12:30 AM
Quote from: Xantus' Murrelet on May 19, 2007, 08:20:58 AM

Mine, done by randomly choosing which 'first comes to mind' and then arranging (which is pretty hard):

1. Gustav Mahler: No. 5
2. Gustav Mahler: No. 9
3. Gustav Mahler: No. 6
4. Franz Joseph Haydn: No. 63 "La Roxelane"
5. Gloria Coates: No. 14 "Symphony in Microtones"
6. Dmitri Shostakovich: No. 8
7. Allan Pettersson: No. 8
8. Malcolm Arnold: No. 7
9. Alfred Schnittke: No. 4
10. Allan Pettersson: No. 14
ah, nice list
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: greg on May 20, 2007, 11:13:17 AM
Quote from: techniquest on May 20, 2007, 07:40:23 AM
What a great thread. My list currently looks like this:

Mahler 2
Vaughan Williams 2 (London)
Prokofiev 5
Mahler 8
Shostakovich 11
Walton 1
Khachaturian 2
Rachmaninov 1
Nielsen 4
Beethoven 7



this, too.
anything with Mahler and Prokofiev in the same list gets a big thumbs up Greg approval.  8)
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: quintett op.57 on May 20, 2007, 11:18:52 AM
Quote from: techniquest on May 20, 2007, 07:40:23 AM
Khachaturian 2
The idea of buying a symphony by Katchaturian never came to my mind.  ;)
What kind of work is it?
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: George on May 20, 2007, 12:15:37 PM
Quote from: greg on May 20, 2007, 11:13:17 AM
this, too.
anything with Mahler and Prokofiev in the same list gets a big thumbs up Greg approval.  8)

I can sleep sound tonight then, as mine has Mahler 6 and Prokofiev 1.  8)
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: greg on May 20, 2007, 12:26:50 PM
Quote from: George on May 20, 2007, 12:15:37 PM
I can sleep sound tonight then, as mine has Mahler 6 and Prokofiev 1.  8)
i don't know, i might still appear in one of your nightmares.....
i'm gonna getcha!  >:D
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: techniquest on May 20, 2007, 09:48:34 PM
QuoteThe idea of buying a symphony by Katchaturian never came to my mind. 
What kind of work is it?
It is a standard 4-movement symphony (1. Andante maestoso; 2. Allegro risoluto; 3. Andante sostenuto; 4. Andante mosso - allegro sostenuto). It is subtitled "The Bell" because of the chime motif at the opening and close of the symphony. Although it has all the Khachaturian trade marks, it also has a depth of feeling and a maturity of writing not often recognised in his work. I have heard 4 recordings of the work: the Vienna Philharmonic under Khachaturian himself (vinyl LP); the Armenian Philharmonic under Tjeknavorian on ASV; the Armenian Philharmonic under Topchjan (live); and the Royal Scottish under Jarvi on Chandos which is by far the best in terms of both recording and reading.
Also worth digging out if you can find it is Khachaturians 1st symphony, an extraordinary debut symphony recorded on ASV by Armenian Phil / Tjeknavorian. The 3rd symphony "Simfoniya Poema" is the one people tend to remember Khachaturian by; the vast, noisy, overblown work for huge orchestra, organ and a load of extra trumpets (15 I think). If you are into that, the best recordings I know of are the BBC Philharmonic under Glushchenko on Chandos (available on a cheap Khachaturian 'introduction' compilation CD), and the Armenian Philharmonic under Tjeknavorian - coupled with the 1st, so a real treat! There was also a version on Melodiya by Russian forces and a debut-in-the-west recording made by Stokowski. Try them out - have fun and, if you are going to listen to the 3rd, keep the volume up!!
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: The new erato on May 21, 2007, 12:34:21 AM
I wouldn't  be surprised if the ASV Khatchaturian turned up on Brilliant, who currently seems to be recycling lots of older ASV stuff.
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Harry on May 21, 2007, 12:41:21 AM
Quote from: erato on May 21, 2007, 12:34:21 AM
I wouldn't  be surprised if the ASV Khatchaturian turned up on Brilliant, who currently seems to be recycling lots of older ASV stuff.

I had a brief glimpse at what they are going to release, and there is indeed a lot of ASV/Chandos/CRD/Nimbus/Hyperion, etc.
It will be feasting and harvesting time. ;D
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Maciek on May 21, 2007, 04:19:11 AM
Time to chime in here. In alphabetical order:

Beethoven 7th
Brahms 4th
Bruckner 4th
Lutoslawski 4th
Schubert Unfinished
Schumann 4th
Shostakovich 8th
Sibelius 5th
Stravinsky Psalms
Szymanowski 4th

(Do I have something for 4th Symphonies or what. And there are some 4ths in the runner-up list as well!)

(Oh, and: sorry, Greg. ::))
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Lilas Pastia on May 21, 2007, 06:00:42 AM
Strictly speaking, the Symphony of Psalms is not a symphony. Stravinsky said that "it is not a symphony in which I have included Psalms to be sung. On the contrary, it is the singing of the Psalms that I am symphonizing."

In another thread, Karl mentioned that Shostakovich was not sure how to call his 14th symphony, while the second cello concerto was actually started by the composer as his 14th symphony. This is the first time I heard about that (thanks Karl!). It proves there are many structural variants to the term. Other avatars can be found, such as the just mentioned Szymanowski 4th, Berlioz' Harold en Italie or Roméo et Juliette, Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde(*) or Lalo's symphonie espagnole.

(*) Mahler purposefully avoided assigning it a numbered position among his works because it would have been his 9th; that 'fateful 9th' implication weighed heavily on his refusal to include it in his numbered symphonies. However, the composer's intention is clearly stated in the score: the work is described on the title-page as   Eine Symphonie für eine Tenor- und eine Alt- (oder Bariton-) Stimme und Orchester (nach Hans Bethges "Die chinesische Flöte") ('A Symphony for One Tenor and One Alto (or Baritone) Voice and Orchestra').
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Maciek on May 21, 2007, 06:12:25 AM
I know you're trying to coax me into choosing your favorite (in 3 movements), André. But even though I do like it my second choice would have still been Symphony in C. :P So let's just keep it Symphony of (symphonized) Psalms... 0:)

(BTW, the quote you're giving doesn't really make it less of a symphony, IMO.)
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Lilas Pastia on May 21, 2007, 06:16:19 AM
Absolutely. The term symphony derives from the italian sinfonia, which originally meant 'sounding together', and could mean any kind of music played by a group of instruments.

for a fascinating article on the subject, there's this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: greg on May 21, 2007, 06:45:34 AM
Quote from: MrOsa on May 21, 2007, 04:19:11 AM
Time to chime in here. In alphabetical order:

Beethoven 7th
Brahms 4th
Bruckner 4th
Lutoslawski 4th
Schubert Unfinished
Schumann 4th
Shostakovich 8th
Sibelius 5th
Stravinsky Psalms
Szymanowski 4th

(Do I have something for 4th Symphonies or what. And there are some 4ths in the runner-up list as well!)

(Oh, and: sorry, Greg. ::))
well, you've got Stravinsky, Brahms and Bruckner in there, at least- so i'm not complaining  8)
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Maciek on May 21, 2007, 11:07:43 AM
Then I'm happy. :D
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Novi on May 21, 2007, 02:52:10 PM
No particular order:

Beethoven 7
Beethoven 3
Brahms 4 (oh yeah!)
Mahler 6
Mozart 40
Mozart 41
Bruckner 8
Bruckner 9
Sibelius 4
Shostakovich 8

Some of these lists are great - all stuff I've never heard. I think I need to explore a whole lot more.
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: S709 on May 23, 2007, 03:52:28 PM
Quote from: quintett op.57 on May 19, 2007, 02:16:42 PM
Obviously, no composer could have as many works as Haydn mentioned in this thread ! ;)
so far:
102
104 (3 times)
6
96
77
101
98
85
22
82
63
But it seems he's still too neglected. Or maybe people don't know how to choose one.

Indeed, and I love all those choices. :D

Quote from: greg on May 20, 2007, 11:12:30 AM
ah, nice list

Thanks! Do you know the Coates 14th then?


BTW thanks to all for the fascinating lists... there were a few mentioned which I haven't heard yet so this is very useful.
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: sonic1 on May 23, 2007, 05:44:55 PM
I hate these kinds of lists, but here is a shot: likely to be different next week. No, it definitely different next week:

Shostakovich 4th
Schubert 8th
Beethoven 6th
Brahms 1st
Gorecki 3rd
Copland 3rd
Sibelius 6th
Bruckner 9th
Mahler 1st
Prokofiev 1st

oh, god. Somewhere i want to fit in Lutoslawski 4th and Vaughan Williams 2nd....and...
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Bogey on May 23, 2007, 08:55:34 PM
Quote from: Bogey on May 17, 2007, 04:31:18 PM
To quote David: "As of today":

Bruckner No. 4
Beethoven No. 3
Beethoven No. 5
Mozart No. 39
Haydn No. 77
Sibelius No. 1
Copland No. 3
Brahms No. 1
Boyce No. 1
Honneger No. 2

and an honorable mention for:

Dukas Symphony in C Major


Ya see....it already has been updated  ;D:

Honneger No. 2

Copland Short Symphony (Symphony No. 2)
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Maciek on May 24, 2007, 10:55:51 AM
I must say, even though I like the Gorecki 3rd very much (not as much as his 2nd though), I'm surprised (pleasantly) it made it onto some many people's lists. :D
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Dancing Divertimentian on May 24, 2007, 06:56:43 PM
All I need is for Brahms to have written six more symphonies and I'd have my top ten.




Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: George on May 24, 2007, 06:57:46 PM
Quote from: donwyn on May 24, 2007, 06:56:43 PM
All I need is for Brahms to have written six more symphonies and I'd have my top ten.

;D
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Dancing Divertimentian on May 24, 2007, 07:03:05 PM
Quote from: George on May 24, 2007, 06:57:46 PM
;D

;)




Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Lilas Pastia on May 25, 2007, 04:19:41 PM
Quote from: donwyn on May 24, 2007, 06:56:43 PM
All I need is for Brahms to have written six more symphonies and I'd have my top ten.


Well, he wrote four concertos and 2 serenades, so that makes 10 symphonies ;D
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Dancing Divertimentian on May 25, 2007, 07:09:58 PM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on May 25, 2007, 04:19:41 PM
Wll, he wrote four concertos and 2 serenades, so that makes 10 symphonies ;D

Yes, forgot about those! ;D



Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: longears on May 26, 2007, 05:16:44 AM
"Frequency on the spinner" in the past year:

Mahler 4
Sibelius 4
Bruckner 7
Nielsen 4
Hovanhess 2
RVW 6
Prokofiev 5
Dvorak 7
Rautavaara 7
Adams Naive and Sentimental Music
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: jwinter on June 15, 2007, 07:34:35 PM
Missed this thread too... [bump]

Going with one from each...

Beethoven 7
Brahms 1
Bruckner 8
Haydn 88
Mahler 3
Mozart 40
Prokofiev 5
Schubert 9
Sibelius 2
Tchaikovsky 6
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Christo on June 15, 2007, 08:59:46 PM
Decided that this particular early morning they must be:

1. Vaughan Williams, A Pastoral Symphony
2. Vaughan Williams, the Sixth
3. Vaughan Williams, the Ninth
4. Tubin, his Sixth
5. Braga Santos, the Fourth (but without the chorus ..)
6. Holmboe, Eight
7. Arnell, his Third (wow, what a major 2006 discovery!)
8. Diamond, his Third too
9. Kinsella, his Third too: 'Joie de Vivre'
10. Guarnieri, his Second: 'Uirapuru'
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Bonehelm on June 15, 2007, 10:28:02 PM
In no particular order, except for Beethoven's rank on the list:

Beethoven 9
Beethoven 5
Beethoven 7
Mahler 2
Mahler 8
Mahler 1
Tchaikovsky 6
Brahms 4
Schubert 9
Bruckner 4
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Marc on June 15, 2007, 11:43:20 PM
Quote from: sonic1 on May 23, 2007, 05:44:55 PM
I hate these kinds of lists [....]

Yeah, me too, and at the same time I'm always tempted to join these threads. ;D

Here's my list:

Tchaikovsky 6
Mozart 40
Mahler 4
Beethoven 7
Mahler 5
Brahms 4
Schubert 8 (Unvollendete)
Mozart 34
Haydn 104
Bruckner 9

I'm sorry that I couldn't fit in Beethoven 6 and Sibelius 5. Life is hard.
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Philoctetes on June 16, 2007, 06:08:12 AM
D'Indy Symphony No. 2
Bruckner Symphony No. 5
Bruckner Symphony No. 8
Mahler Symphony No. 3
Mahler Symphony No. 5
Beethoven Symphony No. 2
Brahms Symphony No. 1 to No. 4
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Haffner on June 16, 2007, 06:18:26 AM
1. Mozart no. 41
2.Beethoven 9th
3. Mahler 9th
4. Mahler 6th
5. Mahler 3rd
6  J.Haydn n.96
7. Shostakovich 10th
8. Mendelssohn "Italian"
9. J. Haydn n.102
10. Mahler 2nd
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: not edward on June 16, 2007, 06:20:08 AM
How do I feel today?

Mozart 40
Beethoven 4
Beethoven 8
Mahler 6
Mahler 9
Hartmann 6
Bruckner 5
Bruckner 9
Shostakovich 4
Prokofiev 6
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Christo on June 16, 2007, 06:23:52 AM
Quote from: edward on June 16, 2007, 06:20:08 AM
How do I feel today?

Well, tell us!  ;D
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Raisa on June 17, 2007, 04:43:26 AM
1) Beethoven 9
2) Shostakovich 7
3) Mahler 6
4) Bruckner 4
5) Dvorak 9
6) Shostakovich 5
7) Brahms 2
8 ) Mozart 41
9) Haydn 48 (Maria Theresia)
10) Beethoven 7
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Thom on June 17, 2007, 09:30:30 AM
In no particular order:

Mahler 3
Mahler 9
Bruckner 7
Vaughan Williams 5
Beethoven 5
Arnold 9
Pettersson 7
Pettersson 8
Shostakovich 10
Diamond 2
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Steve on June 17, 2007, 09:36:02 AM
Quote from: XXXPawn on June 17, 2007, 09:30:30 AM
In no particular order:

Mahler 3
Mahler 9
Bruckner 7
Vaughan Williams 5
Beethoven 5
Arnold 9
Pettersson 7
Pettersson 8
Shostakovich 10
Diamond 2

No Sibelius?  :-[
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Thom on June 17, 2007, 09:52:20 PM
Quote from: Steve on June 17, 2007, 09:36:02 AM
No Sibelius?  :-[

Indeed, he deserves to be in the list as well but there were only 10 slots available. His 2 is great.
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: hautbois on June 18, 2007, 06:49:43 AM
sibelius 2
beethoven 4 (in fact, i think any of the 9 deserves a place on the list)
mozart 40
bruckner 5 (i like 4 too but favour 5)
mahler 4
mendelssohn 1
schubert unfinished (i love 2 , 5 and 9 though)
dvorak 8
brahms 4 (wow! how does someone write 4 wish such consistent quality?)
jc bach op18 no 1
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: karlhenning on June 18, 2007, 06:52:43 AM
Quote from: XXXPawn on June 17, 2007, 09:52:20 PM
Indeed, he deserves to be in the list as well but there were only 10 slots available. His 2 is great.

Let me re-phrase:

No Sibelius, but two Pettersson?  8)
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Steve on June 18, 2007, 07:03:10 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on June 18, 2007, 06:52:43 AM
Let me re-phrase:

No Sibelius, but two Pettersson?  8)

Your setiments are echoed, Sir

Perhaps we can allow Pawn an 11th.  ;)
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Haffner on June 18, 2007, 07:11:05 AM
Quote from: greg on May 18, 2007, 05:49:19 AM
1- Mahler 9
2- Mahler 2
3- Gorecki 3
4- Mahler 10
5- Mahler 6
6- Mahler 3
7- Brahms 1
8- Brahms 4
9-  Brahms 2
10- Mahler 7 (just for the 1st movement)




Yeah Greg I had a very tough time not making 3/4 of my list Mahler.
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Steve on June 18, 2007, 07:15:07 AM
Quote from: Haffner on June 18, 2007, 07:11:05 AM



Yeah Greg I had a very tough time not making 3/4 of my list Mahler.

I know that feeling...  ;D
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Bonehelm on June 18, 2007, 11:09:02 AM
1. Mahler 8
2. Mahler 2
3. Mahler 5
4. Mahler 1
5. Mahler 9
6. Mahler 3
7. Mahler 6
8. Mahler 7
9. Mahler 4
10. Mahler 10

For a moment this has turned into a "Rank the Mahler symphonies!!!!" thread.  ;D
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: PerfectWagnerite on June 18, 2007, 11:39:03 AM
Quote from: Bonehelm on June 18, 2007, 11:09:02 AM
1. Mahler 8
2. Mahler 2
3. Mahler 5
4. Mahler 1
5. Mahler 9
6. Mahler 3
7. Mahler 6
8. Mahler 7
9. Mahler 4
10. Mahler 10

If you spend some time listening to the 10th you will find it just as remarkable as anything Mahler wrote. The first movement is totally spooky, almost sounds like it is from another world. The orchestration is so lean at first you don't even think it's Mahler at all. And the final Adagio yields nothing to the one that closes the 3rd or 9th.

For a moment this has turned into a "Rank the Mahler symphonies!!!!" thread.  ;D
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Thom on June 18, 2007, 09:34:24 PM
Quote from: Steve on June 18, 2007, 07:03:10 AM
Perhaps we can allow Pawn an 11th.  ;)

Thank you Steve. Then it would be Sibelius 2 indeed. And yes, 2 Petterssons. I find these among the most moving compositions that i know.

How fun these 10-item lists are, it is virtually impossible to do it right. I feel it also depends on the mood of the moment. Today I might be inclined to add a symphony by Mozart, tomorrow one by Rubbra, another day one by Tippett (his 2nd!) etc.
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: btpaul674 on June 18, 2007, 10:39:06 PM
Ralph Vaughan Williams 8
Braga Santos 2
Norgard 3
Rautavaara 5
Sibelius 7
Tubin 2
Aho 8
Atterberg 8
Ruders 1
Pettersson 7
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Steve on June 19, 2007, 11:35:52 AM
Quote from: XXXPawn on June 18, 2007, 09:34:24 PM
Thank you Steve. Then it would be Sibelius 2 indeed. And yes, 2 Petterssons. I find these among the most moving compositions that i know.

How fun these 10-item lists are, it is virtually impossible to do it right. I feel it also depends on the mood of the moment. Today I might be inclined to add a symphony by Mozart, tomorrow one by Rubbra, another day one by Tippett (his 2nd!) etc.

Glad to see that you've spent your 11th choice wisely. Any recommendations on the two Petterssons symphonies you've noted? I could always use a fresh recording.  :)
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: PSmith08 on June 19, 2007, 12:17:09 PM
1. Mahler's 2nd
2. Beethoven's 9th
3. Bruckner's 8th
4. Nielsen's 4th
5. Dvořák's 9th
6. Mahler's 6th
7. Mahler's 9th
8. Bruckner's 4th
9. Schumann's 4th
10. Mozart's 41st
---

Eh. I like Mahler, and Beethoven's just on there for sentimental reasons, but reason enough for me.
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: karlhenning on June 19, 2007, 12:29:07 PM
Quote from: XXXPawn on June 18, 2007, 09:34:24 PM
How fun these 10-item lists are, it is virtually impossible to do it right.

Indeed.

So, for today:

Sibelius: Symphony No. 7, Opus 105
Nielsen: Symphony No. 3, Sinfonia espansiva
Beethoven: Symphony No. 4, Opus 60
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 4, Opus 43
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10, Opus 93
Prokofiev: Symphony No. 7, Opus 131
Dutilleux: Symphony No. 2, Le double
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 7, Opus 60
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 15, Opus 141
Berlioz: Roméo et Juliette, Dramatic Symphony, Opus 17
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Steve on June 19, 2007, 12:32:13 PM
Quote from: karlhenning on June 19, 2007, 12:29:07 PM
Indeed.


We could always differentiate these lists by mood....  :)

Pensive, Joyful....
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Thom on June 19, 2007, 10:14:58 PM
Quote from: Steve on June 19, 2007, 11:35:52 AM
Any recommendations on the two Petterssons symphonies you've noted? I could always use a fresh recording.  :)

You probably know these already, Steve:

(http://ml.naxos.jp/gif/BI0580.gif)

(http://cover6.cduniverse.com/MuzeAudioArt/270/278839.jpg)
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Christo on June 20, 2007, 01:50:13 AM
Quote from: Steve on June 19, 2007, 12:32:13 PM
We could always differentiate these lists by mood....  :) Pensive, Joyful....

Good idea. Which makes that today's list, ranging from from peaceful to more aggressive or warlike, could read as folows

1. Vaughan Williams, A Pastoral Symphony (the Third)
2. Tubin, Symphony 4 ('Lirica')
3. Holmboe, Symphony 8
4. Honegger, Symphony 4 ('Deliciae Basilienses')
5. Braga Santos, Symphony 4
6. Brian, Symphony 1 ('Gothic')
7. Shostakovich, Symphony 10
8. Vaughan Williams, Symphony 6
9. Tubin, Symphony 6
10. Vermeulen, ('Prelude à la nouvelle journée')
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Bonehelm on June 21, 2007, 01:15:34 PM
Quote from: Christo on June 20, 2007, 01:50:13 AM
Good idea. Which makes that today's list, ranging from from peaceful to more aggressive or warlike, could read as folows

1. Vaughan Williams, A Pastoral Symphony (the Third)
2. Tubin, Symphony 4 ('Lirica')
3. Holmboe, Symphony 8
4. Honegger, Symphony 4 ('Deliciae Basilienses')
5. Braga Santos, Symphony 4
6. Brian, Symphony 1 ('Gothic')
7. Shostakovich, Symphony 10
8. Vaughan Williams, Symphony 6
9. Tubin, Symphony 6
10. Vermeulen, ('Prelude à la nouvelle journée')


How's Vaughan Williams like? Is he difficult to understand like Mahler/Bruckner?
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Christo on June 21, 2007, 01:58:14 PM
Quote from: Bonehelm on June 21, 2007, 01:15:34 PM
How's Vaughan Williams like? Is he difficult to understand like Mahler/Bruckner?

There's a Vaughan Williams thread in the composers page, perhaps you could try and read the discussion there. I cannot say whether he's a difficult composer, as I grew up with his music when still a child, so for me he's one of the most natural voices of them all.

More or less easy listening (that is: much easier than Mahler or Bruckner) is provided by his smaller orchestral pieces, e.g. his English Folk Song Suite, or Dives and Lazarus, or Lark Ascending, or of course the Greensleeves Fantasia.

His symphonies are a different affair. The most accessible is probably the Second ('A London Symphony') and also the Fifth. More 'difficult' will be his Sixth and Ninth, the others are somewhere in between, imo. My personal favourites are the Third (A Pastoral Symphony), Fifth, Sixth, Eight and Ninth.

If you really want to invest in his symphonies, try both no. 5 and no. 6 - a perfect couple, strongly contrasted, representing two almost opposite sides of his highly personal style. But please opt for a good performance: e.g. those conducted by Handley, Boult, or Previn.
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Bonehelm on June 21, 2007, 02:03:05 PM
Quote from: Christo on June 21, 2007, 01:58:14 PM
There's a Vaughan Williams thread in the composers page, perhaps you could try and read the discussion there. I cannot say whether he's a difficult composer, as I grew up with his music when still a child, so for me he's one of the most natural voices of them all.

More or less easy listening (that is: much easier than Mahler or Bruckner) is provided by his smaller orchestral pieces, e.g. his English Folk Song Suite, or Dives and Lazarus, or Lark Ascending, or of course the Greensleeves Fantasia.

His symphonies are a different affair. The most accessible is probably the Second ('A London Symphony') and also the Fifth. More 'difficult' will be his Sixth and Ninth, the others are somewhere in between, imo. My personal favourites are the Third (A Pastoral Symphony), Fifth, Sixth, Eight and Ninth.

If you really want to invest in his symphonies, try both no. 5 and no. 6 - a perfect couple, strongly contrasted, representing two almost opposite sides of his highly personal style. But please opt for a good performance: e.g. those conducted by Handley, Boult, or Previn.

Great, thanks.  :) Do you have any recording in particular that you want to recommend?
Title: Re: Your Top Ten Symphonies
Post by: Christo on June 21, 2007, 02:10:39 PM
Quote from: Bonehelm on June 21, 2007, 02:03:05 PM
Great, thanks.  :) Do you have any recording in particular that you want to recommend?

:D Of course, but that's always too personal. The price may play a role too. For the Fifth you are safe with Handley, Previn, Thomson - all fine. For the Sixth my personal favourite is Thomson (Chandos), but I'm one of the few who think so. Generally, people opt for Andrew Davies (budget CD!) or Handley.

An even better option: buy the whole lot in one of the best & inexpensive cycles. For about 20-25 EURO / 25-30 USD, you might find the comple cycle of the 9 symphonies in a 5 or 6 CD set by: Haitink (EMI), Handley (EMI), Previn (RCA/Sony) - all superb and all worth your money.. Second-hand, all of these should do no more than 10-20 EURO.