Tone Poems

[vandermolen]

A very substantial list. There are some of them I don't know yet (Meulemans, Miaskovsky, Alwyn, Lilburn, Hanson), which I have to investigate. I had forgotten Stenka Razin, In the Tatra Mountains, and Tintagel (all of them are excellent of course). I should have included more tone poems by Sibelius (Pohjola's Daughter, The Oceanides, Tapiola, Spring Song).

I'm sure you'll enjoy getting to know them. Meulemans's 'Pliny's Fountain' is especially beautiful as far as I'm concerned.

[kyjo]

Some favorites:

Sibelius: The Wood Nymph (my favorite tone poem of his, so underrated), Tapiola, Night Ride and Sunrise, En Saga, The Oceanides, Spring Song
Strauss: Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Don Juan, Tod und Verklärung, Don Quixote
Liszt: Les préludes, Tasso
Respighi: Roman Trilogy, Church Windows
Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet*, Francesca da Rimini, The Tempest
Rachmaninoff: The Isle of the Dead, The Rock
Dvorak: The Noon Witch, The Water Goblin, The Wood Dove
Elgar: Cockaigne*, In the South (Alassio)*
Saint-Saëns: Phaëton
Gershwin: An American in Paris
Zemlinsky: Der Seejungfrau
Reger: Four Tone Poems after Arnold Böcklin
Scriabin: Le Poème de l'extase
Glazunov: Stenka Razin, The Sea, Oriental Rhapsody
Lyadov: The Enchanted Lake, Baba-Yaga, From the Apocalypse
Shostakovich: October
Prokofiev: Dreams
Vaughan Williams: In the Fen Country
Bax: Tintagel, November Woods, The Garden of Fand
Holst: Egdon Heath, Indra
Delius: Paris: The Song of a Great City, North Country Sketches, Eventyr (Once Upon a Time)
Revueltas: Sensemayá
Atterberg: The River – From the Mountains to the Sea
Balakirev: Tamara
Hanson: Pan and the Priest
Lyatoshinsky: Grazyna
Hurum: Bendik og Årolilja
Lazzari: Effet du nuit
Martinů: Vanishing Midnight
Kallstenius: En serenad i sommarnatten
Schoeck: Sommernacht (for string orchestra)
Suk: Fairy Tale
Marx: Feste im Herbst
Magnard: Hymne à la justice
Sanjuán: Castilla

*indicates works which are titled "overtures" but feel more like tone poems to me

[vandermolen]

Some favorites:

Sibelius: The Wood Nymph (my favorite tone poem of his, so underrated), Tapiola, Night Ride and Sunrise, En Saga, The Oceanides, Spring Song
Strauss: Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Don Juan, Tod und Verklärung, Don Quixote
Liszt: Les préludes, Tasso
Respighi: Roman Trilogy, Church Windows
Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet*, Francesca da Rimini, The Tempest
Rachmaninoff: The Isle of the Dead, The Rock
Dvorak: The Noon Witch, The Water Goblin, The Wood Dove
Elgar: Cockaigne*, In the South (Alassio)*
Saint-Saëns: Phaëton
Gershwin: An American in Paris
Zemlinsky: Der Seejungfrau
Reger: Four Tone Poems after Arnold Böcklin
Scriabin: Le Poème de l'extase
Glazunov: Stenka Razin, The Sea, Oriental Rhapsody
Lyadov: The Enchanted Lake, Baba-Yaga, From the Apocalypse
Shostakovich: October
Prokofiev: Dreams
Vaughan Williams: In the Fen Country
Bax: Tintagel, November Woods, The Garden of Fand
Holst: Egdon Heath, Indra
Delius: Paris: The Song of a Great City, North Country Sketches, Eventyr (Once Upon a Time)
Revueltas: Sensemayá
Atterberg: The River – From the Mountains to the Sea
Balakirev: Tamara
Hanson: Pan and the Priest
Lyatoshinsky: Grazyna
Hurum: Bendik og Årolilja
Lazzari: Effet du nuit
Martinů: Vanishing Midnight
Kallstenius: En serenad i sommarnatten
Schoeck: Sommernacht (for string orchestra)
Suk: Fairy Tale
Marx: Feste im Herbst
Magnard: Hymne à la justice

*indicates works which are titled "overtures" but feel more like tone poems to me

What a terrific list Kyle! I shall be revisiting The Wood Nymph which I noticed in my collection a couple of days ago. I should also have included the Lyadov works not to mention An American in Paris which is a wonderful work and my favourite by Gershwin. Also I was going to included the Hurum but couldn't remember how to spell it! His Symphony is marvellous. Had he been based in Europe I'm sure that he would be better known. Also a thumbs up for Magnard although 'Chant Funebre' is my favourite of his shorter works. 'In Memoriam' by Sibelius gets a vote from me as well as many of the others on your list. The opening of the Zemlinsky Mermaid score is absolutely beautiful as well. Must inverstigate 'The River' by Atterberg which I don't know at all 

[André]

+ 1 : what a list, Kyle ! Glad to see a mention for Kallstenius' beautiful work, a real sleeper  .

[Mirror Image]

Tippett's The Rose Lake, I think, should apply here.

[SymphonicAddict]

Some favorites:

Sibelius: The Wood Nymph (my favorite tone poem of his, so underrated), Tapiola, Night Ride and Sunrise, En Saga, The Oceanides, Spring Song
Strauss: Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Don Juan, Tod und Verklärung, Don Quixote
Liszt: Les préludes, Tasso
Respighi: Roman Trilogy, Church Windows
Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet*, Francesca da Rimini, The Tempest
Rachmaninoff: The Isle of the Dead, The Rock
Dvorak: The Noon Witch, The Water Goblin, The Wood Dove
Elgar: Cockaigne*, In the South (Alassio)*
Saint-Saëns: Phaëton
Gershwin: An American in Paris
Zemlinsky: Der Seejungfrau
Reger: Four Tone Poems after Arnold Böcklin
Scriabin: Le Poème de l'extase
Glazunov: Stenka Razin, The Sea, Oriental Rhapsody
Lyadov: The Enchanted Lake, Baba-Yaga, From the Apocalypse
Shostakovich: October
Prokofiev: Dreams
Vaughan Williams: In the Fen Country
Bax: Tintagel, November Woods, The Garden of Fand
Holst: Egdon Heath, Indra
Delius: Paris: The Song of a Great City, North Country Sketches, Eventyr (Once Upon a Time)
Revueltas: Sensemayá
Atterberg: The River – From the Mountains to the Sea
Balakirev: Tamara
Hanson: Pan and the Priest
Lyatoshinsky: Grazyna
Hurum: Bendik og Årolilja
Lazzari: Effet du nuit
Martinů: Vanishing Midnight
Kallstenius: En serenad i sommarnatten
Schoeck: Sommernacht (for string orchestra)
Suk: Fairy Tale
Marx: Feste im Herbst
Magnard: Hymne à la justice
Sanjuán: Castilla

*indicates works which are titled "overtures" but feel more like tone poems to me

There are so many pieces I forgot. Practically, many works don't bear the 'tone poem/symphonic poem' label on them, but they are depicting something. I listened to Schoeck's Sommernacht some weeks ago: it's an incredible piece, very sensual and suggestive. I agree with you about The Wood Nymph, the whole piece is mindblowing and the ending is so dramatic! Holst's Indra is ravishing, the same applies for Glazunov's The Sea. How I could forget 'Vetrate di Chiesa'!!

In conclusion, very nice list. I like the majority of works on it.

[Mirror Image]

Must inverstigate 'The River' by Atterberg which I don't know at all 

This is quite surprising, Jeffrey. I'm assuming you own the CPO set of symphonies? It's in that set (coupled with the 9th symphony).

[kyjo]

What a terrific list Kyle! I shall be revisiting The Wood Nymph which I noticed in my collection a couple of days ago. I should also have included the Lyadov works not to mention An American in Paris which is a wonderful work and my favourite by Gershwin. Also I was going to included the Hurum but couldn't remember how to spell it! His Symphony is marvellous. Had he been based in Europe I'm sure that he would be better known. Also a thumbs up for Magnard although 'Chant Funebre' is my favourite of his shorter works. 'In Memoriam' by Sibelius gets a vote from me as well as many of the others on your list. The opening of the Zemlinsky Mermaid score is absolutely beautiful as well. Must inverstigate 'The River' by Atterberg which I don't know at all 

Thanks, Jeffrey! Please do report back once you've revisited 'The Wood Nymph' - a terrifically powerful score and one of my favorite Sibelius works. Indeed, Hurum's Symphony is marvelous and the Simax disc containing it, 'Bendik og Årolilja', and his String Quartet is a real favorite of mine. It's a pity he didn't compose more music. I must investigate Magnard's 'Chant funebre' and Sibelius' 'In memoriam' which I don't know. I think the entirety of Zemlinsky's 'The Mermaid' is absolutely gorgeous. And yes, Atterberg's 'The River' is a must-hear for anyone who enjoys his symphonies!

[kyjo]

There are so many pieces I forgot. Practically, many works don't bear the 'tone poem/symphonic poem' label on them, but they are depicting something. I listened to Schoeck's Sommernacht some weeks ago: it's an incredible piece, very sensual and suggestive. I agree with you about The Wood Nymph, the whole piece is mindblowing and the ending is so dramatic! Holst's Indra is ravishing, the same applies for Glazunov's The Sea. How I could forget 'Vetrate di Chiesa'!!

In conclusion, very nice list. I like the majority of works on it.

Thanks, Caesar! I totally agree with you about the works you mention.

[vandermolen]

This is quite surprising, Jeffrey. I'm assuming you own the CPO set of symphonies? It's in that set (coupled with the 9th symphony).

You're quite right John. I realise that the reason I have ignored 'The River' is indeed because it was coupled with Atterberg's Symphony 9 which I hardly ever play as I don't like it very much. Still, I have that CD in front of me now and will be playing it later today I hope.

[vandermolen]

Thanks, Jeffrey! Please do report back once you've revisited 'The Wood Nymph' - a terrifically powerful score and one of my favorite Sibelius works. Indeed, Hurum's Symphony is marvelous and the Simax disc containing it, 'Bendik og Årolilja', and his String Quartet is a real favorite of mine. It's a pity he didn't compose more music. I must investigate Magnard's 'Chant funebre' and Sibelius' 'In memoriam' which I don't know. I think the entirety of Zemlinsky's 'The Mermaid' is absolutely gorgeous. And yes, Atterberg's 'The River' is a must-hear for anyone who enjoys his symphonies!

I will do Kyle, although I have to find the CD first  .
Yes that Hurum CD is very special and do look out for 'In Memoriam' - a doom-laden work which really appeals to me!


PS added later. Well, 'The River' by Atterberg is terrific I must say, especially 'The Waterfalls' which has a very haunting section. I had to play the work again as soon as I heard it. I don't recall ever hearing it before. So many thanks Kyle and John for the recommendation. Still on the look out for 'The Wood Nymph' who currently eludes me. Also Holst's 'Indra'.

[Mirror Image]

You're quite right John. I realise that the reason I have ignored 'The River' is indeed because it was coupled with Atterberg's Symphony 9 which I hardly ever play as I don't like it very much. Still, I have that CD in front of me now and will be playing it later today I hope.

Excellent, Jeffrey! I'm in the same boat with you about Atterberg's 9th. Never have cared for this symphony at all.

[Roasted Swan]

I will do Kyle, although I have to find the CD first  .
Yes that Hurum CD is very special and do look out for 'In Memoriam' - a doom-laden work which really appeals to me!


PS added later. Well, 'The River' by Atterberg is terrific I must say, especially 'The Waterfalls' which has a very haunting section. I had to play the work again as soon as I heard it. I don't recall ever hearing it before. So many thanks Kyle and John for the recommendation. Still on the look out for 'The Wood Nymph' who currently eludes me. Also Holst's 'Indra'.

Vandermolen - I revisited this disc recently

[asin]B0084OVZOY[/asin] which is really very good indeed.  Falletta's tenure in Ulster was curiously short - untold stories there for sure - but her couple of discs - this and the Moeran Cello concerto are very good.  The Holst comes up very well and enjoyable if unrecognisable as the work of this composer.  The Cotswald Symphony gets an airing that proves its worth an occasional outing too.  Isn't the Atterberg cinematic! (no bad thing)

[kyjo]

I will do Kyle, although I have to find the CD first  .
Yes that Hurum CD is very special and do look out for 'In Memoriam' - a doom-laden work which really appeals to me!


PS added later. Well, 'The River' by Atterberg is terrific I must say, especially 'The Waterfalls' which has a very haunting section. I had to play the work again as soon as I heard it. I don't recall ever hearing it before. So many thanks Kyle and John for the recommendation. Still on the look out for 'The Wood Nymph' who currently eludes me. Also Holst's 'Indra'.

In the meantime, I highly recommend this recording of 'The Wood Nymph' by Vänskä and the Lahti SO: https://youtu.be/lizoxwiqN6E

It's available on this disc:

[asin]B00IU5PVQA[/asin]


So glad you enjoyed Atterberg's 'The River'! A really fine and atmospheric work for sure. I agree with you about the beauty of 'The Waterfalls' section. Also notable is 'The Harbor' section, which is unusually dissonant for Atterberg and is perhaps a satirical portrayal of "modernist" music of the time.

[kyjo]

Excellent, Jeffrey! I'm in the same boat with you about Atterberg's 9th. Never have cared for this symphony at all.

+1 It's certainly not a bad work, but it's easy to tell that Atterberg wasn't nearly as comfortable writing in the new, more "modern" style he tested in this work as in his typical lush, late-romantic style that we know and love.

[Baron Scarpia]

+1 It's certainly not a bad work, but it's easy to tell that Atterberg wasn't nearly as comfortable writing in the new, more "modern" style he tested in this work as in his typical lush, late-romantic style that we know and love.

I noticed it has a chorus. Symphonies with a chorus are not my thing, so I never listened to it, though I have the cpo set.

[vandermolen]

Vandermolen - I revisited this disc recently

[asin]B0084OVZOY[/asin] which is really very good indeed.  Falletta's tenure in Ulster was curiously short - untold stories there for sure - but her couple of discs - this and the Moeran Cello concerto are very good.  The Holst comes up very well and enjoyable if unrecognisable as the work of this composer.  The Cotswald Symphony gets an airing that proves its worth an occasional outing too.  Isn't the Atterberg cinematic! (no bad thing)

Thanks Roasted Swan but the image comes up blank on my screen. Is it the Naxos Holst CD with the Cotswolds Symphony (which I don't like very much)? If so I'm sure it's still worth having for the other items featured. Yes, the Moeran release was very good too.

[vandermolen]

In the meantime, I highly recommend this recording of 'The Wood Nymph' by Vänskä and the Lahti SO: https://youtu.be/lizoxwiqN6E

It's available on this disc:

[asin]B00IU5PVQA[/asin]


So glad you enjoyed Atterberg's 'The River'! A really fine and atmospheric work for sure. I agree with you about the beauty of 'The Waterfalls' section. Also notable is 'The Harbor' section, which is unusually dissonant for Atterberg and is perhaps a satirical portrayal of "modernist" music of the time.

Thanks Kyle. I have the earlier Vanska version which is currently in a pile of CDs somewhere - no doubt it will turn up soon. The CD you recommended looks really good but is incredibly expensive here (£50+  ). So, I've ordered a version conducted by Douglas Bostock which was cheap and interested me.
https://www.amazon.com/Serenades-Karelia-Overture-Historiques-Finlandia/dp/B000S75C0S/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1518516586&sr=1-1&keywords=Bostock+Sibelius

[Roasted Swan]

Thanks Roasted Swan but the image comes up blank on my screen. Is it the Naxos Holst CD with the Cotswolds Symphony (which I don't like very much)? If so I'm sure it's still worth having for the other items featured. Yes, the Moeran release was very good too.

Yes Vandermolen - that's the one.  Indra also appears on a Lyrita disc in typically dynamic Lyrita sound - its a tricky choice between the two because both are very fine and the programmes otherwise overlap a bit but not a lot.  Having the complete Cotswold symphony would tip me towards the Naxos/Falletta disc if really pushed.  The Holst curio I'm really waiting for someone to record is either the complete "Perfect Fool" or the early Sanskrit opera Sita which comes just before his first real masterpiece Savitri

[vandermolen]

Yes Vandermolen - that's the one.  Indra also appears on a Lyrita disc in typically dynamic Lyrita sound - its a tricky choice between the two because both are very fine and the programmes otherwise overlap a bit but not a lot.  Having the complete Cotswold symphony would tip me towards the Naxos/Falletta disc if really pushed.  The Holst curio I'm really waiting for someone to record is either the complete "Perfect Fool" or the early Sanskrit opera Sita which comes just before his first real masterpiece Savitri

Thanks again Roasted Swan. Actually I have an Alto CD with the Cotswolds Symphony on which annoyingly does not include Indra but does include the magical 'Perfect Fool Ballet Music'. I'm sure I have the Lyrita CD somewhere. I'm having a big CD 'sort out' at the moment, so hopefully I'll come across it. The early work by Holst which I really like is the (in places) hauntingly atmospheric 'The Cloud Messenger' with its proto-minimalist section.