Your top 3 symphonists

[Brian]

Brahms has no duds.

You like his First Symphony a whole lot more than I do 

[BachQ]

You like his First Symphony a whole lot more than I do 

  0:)  (Well, it IS a monumental masterpiece ((blah blah blah))

[Brian]

it IS monumental

In length at any rate 

[Anne]

Beethoven
Mahler
Shostakovich

Runners Up:

Brahms
Bruckner

[Christo]

somewhere below Rachmaninov.

As a symphonist? Not everyone might be prepared to consider Rachmaninov's three symphonies a major symphonic cycle of the kind of e.g. those by Nielsen, Shostakovich or indeed RVW.

[Symphonien]

...and unlike Bruckner ... and Beethoven (see, e.g., Sym. no. 1), Brahms has no duds.

What's wrong with Beethoven's 1st Symphony?

[eyeresist]

As a symphonist? Not everyone might be prepared to consider Rachmaninov's three symphonies a major symphonic cycle of the kind of e.g. those by Nielsen, Shostakovich or indeed RVW.

Whether it's a "major cycle" (I would include the Symphonic Dances) isn't my argument. I think VW was a 2nd rater who made a great effort, whereas Rachmaninov was a 1st rate talent who, unfortunately, took the path of least resistance. I prefer Rach, for superior orchestration and melodies. Perhaps I can console you by ranking Nielsen below the blessed Ralph?

[Christo]

Perhaps I can console you by ranking Nielsen below the blessed Ralph?

No    0:)

(And btw: I'm pretty sure you hardly know RVW's nine symphonies - a common feature with almost all critics who consider him 'second rate') 

And, btw btw again: I happen to love Rach and even to adore the Symphonic Dances. But as a symphonist, Rach simply cannot compete with RVW, imo 

[Grazioso]

What's wrong with Beethoven's 1st Symphony?

That's what I'd like to know.

[71 dB]

What's wrong with Beethoven's 1st Symphony?

It does not appeal to me. Then again, I don't care about any symphony (except #6) by Beethoven as much as fans of classical music in general.

[PerfectWagnerite]

Other than from Wanderer I am surprised no one mentioned Schumann. Personally I think he is definitely on the same level as Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, Sibelius, Shostakovich, and Nielsen etc. as a symphonist. The 4th symphony really has no equal in the repertore in terms of it's organic unity and richness. And he also wrote 4 symphonies that are so different from each other, much like Brahms I suppose, and they sound so genuine and unpretentious.

[ChamberNut]

Other than from Wanderer I am surprised no one mentioned Schumann. Personally I think he is definitely on the same level as Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, Sibelius, Shostakovich, and Nielsen etc. as a symphonist. The 4th symphony really has no equal in the repertore in terms of it's organic unity and richness. And he also wrote 4 symphonies that are so different from each other, much like Brahms I suppose, and they sound so genuine and unpretentious.

For symphonies, Schumann is my number 4, right after Brahms.   

[BachQ]

It does not appeal to me. Then again, I don't care about any symphony (except #6) by Beethoven as much as fans of classical music in general.

We had agreement up until your second sentence .......

And he also wrote 4 symphonies that are so different from each other, much like Brahms I suppose, and they sound so genuine and unpretentious.

Query to what extent Brahms's symphonies were influenced by Schumann?

[Bonehelm]

It does not appeal to me. Then again, I don't care about any symphony (except #6) by Beethoven as much as fans of classical music in general.

Good lord, thought you changed  . Looks like its de ja vu all over again...

[71 dB]

Good lord, thought you changed  . Looks like its de ja vu all over again...

Change how? Do you expect me to become a clone of you liking exactly the same things?

My opinion about Beethoven's overrated status hasn't changed a bit.

[DavidRoss]

Change how? Do you expect me to become a clone of you liking exactly the same things?

My opinion about Beethoven's overrated status hasn't changed a bit.

You mean that your opinion that Beethoven is overrated hasn't changed. 

[rappy]

You like his First Symphony a whole lot more than I do 

One of my favourite symphony, an absolutely ingenious masterpiece.

It is hard to pick between: Haydn, Beethoven, Mendelssohn (3rd), Mahler, Bruckner, Dvorak (7th, 8th), Tschaikovsky (6th), Brahms, Prokofiev

In my current mood I'll pick Beethoven, Mahler and Brahms. But it may change tomorrow.

[71 dB]

You mean that your opinion that Beethoven is overrated hasn't changed. 

Yes, that's what I'm saying.

[abidoful]

1. Beethoven
2. Sibelius
3. Bruckner

[Carolus]

Tchaikovsky
Borodin
Kalinikov