Youthful First Symphonies

[snyprrr]

Is there a Thread?

If not, what then of the Symphony No.1?

This idea comes, gazing over sets of Lutoslawski and Henze. I really like the youthful vigor and awkward moments in the Henze: I do especially like to hear the youthful follies in pieces like this, the chuckling moments. I had the Lutoslawski out, but haven't re-listened yet. I also find the BA Zimmermann Symphonie in einem satz to be kind of gawky.

There are Stravinsky and Prokofiev, Honegger,... oh, so many that my mind draws a blank. I want to say, however, that certain people, such as Malipiero and Milhaud, didn't start writing Symphonies until their general maturity, so, the youthful 'oops!' moments are lacking. Everyone from Brahms, to Denisov, fits in this category.

What I'm looking for are those 1sts that may be separated from the rest of the Cycle, or just youthful indiscretions, or whatever have you. Pieces that were later revised will most definitely be in the plan. Technically, Prokofiev fits in here simply for the novelty of his vision, which, in my opinion, is an audaciously youthful construct.

Indiscretions, slaps in the face, whatever have you,... I'm wondering if we should include the burned also? Many 1sts never made it out of the oven.

I'm lifting up the Henze as a charming little piece. Who do you like?

[The new erato]

Shostakovich 1.

[Brahmsian]

Mozart 1   

[Brahmsian]

Cato will fully agree with me:  The greatest 1st symphony of all time is:  Dvorak's 1st.  Right, Cato?   

[snyprrr]

Cato will fully agree with me:  The greatest 1st symphony of all time is:  Dvorak's 1st.  Right, Cato?   

I like that choice!

[snyprrr]

Just listened to Lutoslawski's, and, mm, it was alright,... a little too accomplished for my tastes, haha,... listening again to Henze (verrry angsty)

[Lisztianwagner]

Beethoven, Mahler and Rachmaninov No.1 

Ilaria

[snyprrr]

Beethoven, Mahler and Rachmaninov No.1 

Ilaria

Mahler's was used in the film The Gambler, with James Caan, no? That minor third 'ticking' sound?

[springrite]

Bruckner Symphony #-2

Or was it #00?

[snyprrr]

Bruckner Symphony #-2

Or was it #00?

haha

Either Dundonnel or Vandermolen haven't checked in, or there aren't too many of these things,... huh? Whaaat??

[TheGSMoeller]

Cato will fully agree with me:  The greatest 1st symphony of all time is:  Dvorak's 1st.  Right, Cato?   

I may come close to agreeing myself, I was very impressed with my first listen of Dvorak's 1st, found it to be quite ambitious for a first symphony.

[Wanderer]

Haydn's No.1 is just lovely, with a very memorable opening.

[DieNacht]

Really agree on the Henze 1st, probablty my most-listened-to Henze work.

Holmboe´s 1st for chamber orchestra is really really delightful, some naively rustic, dancing and percussive effects. Gade´s 1st  is also one of his best and most engaged works, lots of dedicated romanticism there. Sending his less attractive personality to Pluto, Khrennikov´s 1st is also quite catchy piece, and Moyzes´ 1st contains some of his more memorable melodies, to mention some ...

[snyprrr]

Would Roussel fit here? He started late, after all.

[techniquest]

Mahler 1 - youthful, and so positive. However about half way through the first movement there's that moment with a deep bass pedal note and quiet thuds on the bass drum which hint at the gloom and doom that would be a major theme for Mahler in the symphonies to come.
Other good, youthful No.1's: Rachmaninov - I like this so much more than the popular No.2; Sibelius - inspired beauty with lovely harp writing in the last movement; Prokofiev - it's just a bit of fun really; Khachaturian - neglected, but a terrific piece which deserves to be heard.

[techniquest]

Forgot to mention - Schnittke! 

[val]

My choice, Schumann's First Symphony.

[Guido]

Mahler 1 and Shostakovich 1 are both supremely accomplaished and don't seem to fit the thread theme at all.

I love Ives 1, which was his graduation piece, already very ambitious and boundary pushing, though obviously strongly Dvorakian and far from the mastery of his maturity. It's a beaut.

[Grazioso]

Wagner's symphony in C comes to mind.

[offbeat]

Vermeulen first symphony - love it