Greatest 20th Century Symphonies

[Sergeant Rock]

Is there anyone on earth besides Poju who honestly regards either of them as among the noblest musical utterances of that incredible century?

Yes, there are quite a few who believe that...and not all of us are Englishmen    Elgar rather defines "nobility" in music.

I believe his symphonies would benefit from performances at once much swifter, and more romantically expressive in the older tradition.

For me Sinopoli mines the greatest emotional depths in the Second Symphony, and he does that by employing slower than normal tempos and exaggerating the expressive elements. He, in effect, Mahlerizes Elgar. I prefer slower tempos in Elgar's First also.

Sarge

[DavidW]

Even though most people disagree, I'm going to pull an Eric and disagree with consensus and say that Stravinsky is one of the finest symphonists of the 20th century.  All of his small handful of symphonies are all remarkably different from each other in style, but all exceptional, beautiful and thrilling works.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Even though most people disagree, I'm going to pull an Eric and disagree with consensus and say that Stravinsky is one of the finest symphonists of the 20th century.  All of his small handful of symphonies are all remarkably different from each other in style, but all exceptional, beautiful and thrilling works.

I agree with this (although I haven't heard the early Sym. in Eb). I even have high regard for the Symphony in C, a work which (for reasons that escape me) a lot of people seem to have trouble with.

[DavidW]

I agree with this (although I haven't heard the early Sym. in Eb). I even have high regard for the Symphony in C, a work which (for reasons that escape me) a lot of people seem to have trouble with.

Yeah that Symphony in C many are bored by many, but even now I can instantly recall that wonderful opening of that symphony, it sings in my head. 0:)

[bwv 1080]

it begs the question about what constitutes a symphony in the 20th century.  Does something have to be called a symphony to count?  Dutilleux's Metaboles is every bit as much of a symphony as his Symphony #2.  Do no orchestral works by Bartok, Ligeti or Xenakis count?  Does only Turangalîla qualify in Messiaen's repertoire?

[DavidRoss]

Adams's Naive and Sentimental Music seems like a symphony.  Pretty good music, too. 

Did Bartók write any symphonies, whether named as such or not?

[Lethevich]

Did Bartók write any symphonies, whether named as such or not?

He apparently did, but only a scherzo movement survives (BB 25, DD 68).

[Christo]

Another attempt, to keep this thread alive: 

Mahler 6
Vaughan Williams 3, 5, 6, 8, 9 
Nielsen 5, 6
Tubin 6, 8
Holmboe 7, 8
Brian 1 (`Gothic'), 8
Martinů 5
Stravinsky Symphony in three movements
Braga Santos 3
Shostakovich 15
Barber 2 
Simpson 9
Honegger 5
Moeran
Arnold 9

[vandermolen]

Another attempt, to keep this thread alive: 

Mahler 6
Vaughan Williams 3, 5, 6, 8, 9 
Nielsen 5, 6
Tubin 6, 8
Holmboe 7, 8
Brian 1 (`Gothic'), 8
Martinů 5
Stravinsky Symphony in three movements
Braga Santos 3
Shostakovich 15
Barber 2 
Simpson 9
Honegger 5
Moeran
Arnold 9

Choices with which I wholeheartedly agree  (I don't know the Stravinsky well)

Barber No 2 is indeed very underrated (not least by the composer himself)

Here we go again   

Tubin Symphony 2 and 4
Braga Santos (for it is he  ) Symphony 4
Bax Symphony 5
Moeran Symphony
Lilburn Symphony 1
Copland Symphony 3
Creston Symphony 2
Bernstein Jeremiah
Orr Symphony in one movement
Miaskovsky Symphony 17
Martinu Symphony 4
Honegger Symphony 3 and 5 (you can get them on one CD on Chandos)
Alwyn Symphony 2
Arnold Symphony 6
Rosenberg Symphony 3
Langgaard Symphony 4
Brian Symphony 2,8,9,10
Pettersson Symphony 6 ('the long struggle towards the sunrise') and 7
Vaughan Williams Symphony 6
Elgar Symphony 2 and reconstructed 3
Mahler Symphony 6 and 9.

[eyeresist]

For me Sinopoli mines the greatest emotional depths in the Second Symphony, and he does that by employing slower than normal tempos and exaggerating the expressive elements. He, in effect, Mahlerizes Elgar. I prefer slower tempos in Elgar's First also.

I do agree that Elgar the symphonist is in fact a brother of Mahler. Of course, I like reasonably swift tempos (plus expressiveness) in my Mahler too.

[schweitzeralan]

So many great ones over the centuries mentioned on This thread.  There is one symphony I think is superb.  The problem is that it was not yet recorded for general distribution. I received it courtesy of the Joseph Marx Society.  I'm referring to the "Herbstsymphonie."

A couple of months ago I posted a thread on masterworks with sustained intensity.  Many works mentioned on this thread relate to this.  Then so does the "Herbstsymphonie.  I believe it was fairly recently performed in New York.

Thia "Autumn Symphony is not a work that contains just "moments" of inspiration. Marx wrote several interesting works with superb sections, at least in my perspective.  Marx must have been consumed by supreme genius upon composing this work.  Early 1920,s I believe.  It is an exhilarating, intensely romantic, subtle color infusions, dramatic work with absolutely no "weak" passages.  I listen to it over and again, and it is still fresh for me.  Just a personal asseveration.

Also, I forgot to mention Alexander Krein's sympony "After Scriabin."  Agaon, much color, chromatic and beautifully conceived musical themes which impregnate this wonderful work.  Not a prolific composer, unfortunately.  His "Piano Sonata," although obviously not symphonic, is a gem; an admixture of Russian color, Scriabinesque harmonies, and Jewish elements thrive in most of his pianistic works.

[schweitzeralan]

it begs the question about what constitutes a symphony in the 20th century.  Does something have to be called a symphony to count?  Dutilleux's Metaboles is every bit as much of a symphony as his Symphony #2.  Do no orchestral works by Bartok, Ligeti or Xenakis count?  Does only Turangalîla qualify in Messiaen's repertoire?

What is it that makes the Turangalila so great?  What an I mising? I have other works by Messiaen including some early with evident post Ravelian influences as well as several with modernist orientation.  Several of these I do appreciate; yet his supposed masterwork escapes me. Pour quoi Olivier?

[71 dB]

What is it that makes the Turangalila so great?

I have been wondering that too.  It's a tiresome mess of random noises but perhaps many want to hear exactly that.

[bhodges]

Well, I don't know about a "tiresome mess of random noises," but I do know a number of Messiaen fans who find that piece a little too--trying to find the right word--"obvious."  A lot of his music may have more mystery. 

It's a bit showy and effusive, perhaps, and as with a lot of his music, his penchant for repeating figures over and over will either put you in a trance or have you running for the exit.  But nevertheless a great performance can have you cheering.  (And like most things, it is best heard in person.)  I heard a fantastic one last year at Carnegie Hall, with David Robertson and the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra.

--Bruce

[71 dB]

Well, I don't know about a "tiresome mess of random noises," but I do know a number of Messiaen fans who find that piece a little too--trying to find the right word--"obvious."  A lot of his music may have more mystery. 

I haven't explored Messiaen beyond Turangalila because it turned me off. There's too much interesting music to explore for one lifetime so why waiste time to Messiaen's mysteries?

[bhodges]

Absolutely true.  I agree completely.  If a composer--any composer--doesn't speak to you after you have given him/her a chance, time to move on.

--Bruce

[71 dB]

Absolutely true.  I agree completely.  If a composer--any composer--doesn't speak to you after you have given him/her a chance, time to move on.

--Bruce

I think I should give Messiaen another chance. I think I sampled some of his organ music too but I found it extremely slow, tiresome and boring. Messiaen doesn't seem to be a master of rhythm, is he?

[bhodges]

I think I should give Messiaen another chance. I think I sampled some of his organ music too but I found it extremely slow, tiresome and boring. Messiaen doesn't seem to be a master of rhythm, is he?

Well, can't agree with the rhythm comment, and given your reaction to his organ output, I suspect Messiaen just isn't for you.  Thankfully, there are thousands of other composers!

--Bruce

[71 dB]

Thankfully, there are thousands of other composers!

--Bruce

And if all of these composers aren't enough, there's tons of non-classical music.   

[71 dB]

Pettersson Symphony 6 ('the long struggle towards the sunrise') and 7

Pettersson's symphonies on BIS has been added to Spotify. I am listening to #7 now. My first taste of this composer!  0:)