Shostakovich vs Stravinsky vs Rachmaninov vs Prokofiev

[mc ukrneal]

The choice is between Rachmaninov and Prokofiev for me. Stravinsky is ok, and I understand his place in history, but I don't really like most of his music. Shostakovich is better, but it's mostly the 'non-core' classical music that I like (films and such, but not really the symphonies, chamber music, etc.).

Prokofiev - Alexander Nevsky is a favorite, Peter and Wolf (not much equals this is in the repertoire), the ballets (such brilliance), etc.

Rachmaninov - Here I love nearly everything he wrote: Concertos, Symphonies, choral music, solo piano music, etc. For me, not a dud in the lot. Operas are worth looking into too.  So my vote goes to Rachmaninov.

[mszczuj]

I really love all this magic emotions in Rachmaninov music, but for me he is  un po dilettante. I can't take him absoletely seriously.

Shostakovich claims for too much seriousness in listening. Even in grotesque. As if he was a Beethoven. But he was not.

Stravinsky started as a genius.  But became too professional.

Prokofiev of course had a lot of week moments but in my opinion he wrote more works wich are really inersting and inspired than all above mentioned. And there are two absolute masterpieces among them: 2nd Symphony and Violin Sonata.
My vote for him.

[Karl Henning]

Oh, no doubt.  Not one in the lot to dislike as David pointed out. 

Truly: four great composers.

Here I must again invoke the fruit option . . . .

[DavidW]

Another idea for a poll?

The poll being "what would Karl vote for in the dsch vs stravinsky vs rach vs prok poll"?

[Karl Henning]

I should view those results with interest, je-je-je!

[PaulR]

The poll being "what would Karl vote for in the dsch vs stravinsky vs rach vs prok poll"?

Yes.  Sort of a way to see who thinks they know Karl's taste the best

[Cato]

Who dares to vote against The Rach?   

Prokofiev a very close second (if only he had not returned to Russia/Soviet Union).
Shostakovich (if only he had escaped from Russia/Soviet Union)
Stravinsky (if only he had come to America sooner)

[madaboutmahler]

Voted for Shostakovich eventually, was very hard choosing. But Shostakovich's symphonies, particularly 5, 10, 11 and 12, are some of my favourite pieces of all time. The concerti also.

So, Prokofiev as a close second. His R+J is one of my favourite pieces of all time. Am just about to start listening to the symphonies again. However, perhaps his music does not contain as much raw emotion as Shostakovich's does. Juliet's Death from R+J to me is certainly one of the most beautiful pieces EVER written though. And Prokofiev certainly did write some of the most enjoyable music ever! The second piano concerto is also a favourite work.

Love so much of Rachmaninov's work. The Symphonic Dances, 3rd piano concerto, Isle of the Dead and 2nd symphony are some of my favourite works of all time.

Never really cared much for Stravinsky, especially the later works. Pieces like the earlier ballets (Rite, Firebird and Petrushka) and the Symphony in Three Movements are amazing works though.

[TheGSMoeller]

However, perhaps his [Prokofiev] music does not contain as much raw emotion as Shostakovich's does.

Objection!!

[madaboutmahler]

Objection!!

Sorry, Greg!

I really need to spend some more time listening to the symphonies again, then I might have to reconsider my statement. But it is hard to imagine a composer that could achieve more raw passion and emotion in his music than Shostakovich, (and MAHLER)

[TheGSMoeller]

Sorry, Greg!

I really need to spend some more time listening to the symphonies again, then I might have to reconsider my statement. But it is hard to imagine a composer that could achieve more raw passion and emotion in his music than Shostakovich, (and MAHLER)

No need to apologize, Daniel.  Opinions, man, opinions.

But raw emotion and passion can be conveyed in so many different forms and genres. DSCH surely could lay in on thick in terms of power (grand fortissimos) and satire, but one thing I get more of from Prokofiev is a tenderness and joyfulness that I don't sense in DSCH's music. I consider that raw emotion as well.

[DavidW]

So who voted for other?  I'd like to know what composer was left out-- Schnittke?

[Lisztianwagner]

I chose Rachmaninov He's one of my absolute favourite composers and my main source of inspiration at the piano (along with Liszt and Beethoven). I extremely love his music, so thrilling, passionate, intense and expressive, it deeply strikes me with its great beauty and power.

Though, I certainly love both Shostakovich and Porokofiev as well, their compositions are definitely gorgeous and impressive.
Stravinsky was a very fine composer, but I don't know much about his music apart from The Rite of Spring, The Firebird, Petrushka and the Capriccio for Piano & Orchestra.

[TheGSMoeller]

Stravinsky was a very fine composer, but I don't know much about his music apart from The Rite of Spring, The Firebird, Petrushka...

Definitely branch out, Igor gets cornered too often by these pieces, great as they are, there is much, much more to explore, and IMO better music of his to discover.

[Karl Henning]

Ilaria, in particular I should commen to you the Concerto per due pianoforti!

[Lisztianwagner]

Definitely branch out, Igor gets cornered too often by these pieces, great as they are, there is much, much more to explore, and IMO better music of his to discover.

Ilaria, in particular I should commen to you the Concerto per due pianoforti!

Thank you for the advices, I will try to follow them; as a matter of fact I certainly need to get to know Stravinsky' music better

Any suggestion about the recording for the Concerto per due pianoforti Karl?

[Mirror Image]

Voted for Shostakovich eventually, was very hard choosing. But Shostakovich's symphonies, particularly 5, 10, 11 and 12, are some of my favourite pieces of all time. The concerti also.

So, Prokofiev as a close second. His R+J is one of my favourite pieces of all time. Am just about to start listening to the symphonies again. However, perhaps his music does not contain as much raw emotion as Shostakovich's does. Juliet's Death from R+J to me is certainly one of the most beautiful pieces EVER written though. And Prokofiev certainly did write some of the most enjoyable music ever! The second piano concerto is also a favourite work.

This poll was, for me, nothing but a rehash of the "Shostakovich vs. Prokofiev" poll, because in my opinion Stravinsky and Rachmaninov are the weak links here. I chose Shostakovich in the last poll and so I chose him again. Prokofiev isn't far behind either. Prokofiev's ballets are something else. They're fantastic works and I actually like the lesser known ones better than the more well-known ones, which proves that he was a master of the idiom. But Prokofiev also composed some great symphonies and concerti. It's interesting you chose Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 2 as a favorite as it's one of mine as well. I like the third a lot as well.

But, at the end of the day, Shotakovich will always be my #1 Russian composer.

[Karl Henning]

Any suggestion about the recording for the Concerto per due pianoforti Karl?

There's a historical recording of the composer and his son Soulima playing it, Ilaria;  the Naxos recording with Benjamin Frith & Peter Hill is very good.

[eyeresist]

Prokofiev's ballets are something else. They're fantastic works and I actually like the lesser known ones better than the more well-known ones, which proves that he was a master of the idiom.

May I ask, what are the lesser known ballets you are thinking of?

[Mirror Image]

May I ask, what are the lesser known ballets you are thinking of?

The Prodigal Son, On the Dnieper, Le Pas d'Acier, and The Stone Flower. All of them are worth hearing. My favorite is On the Dnieper. I've fallen in love with this ballet. Wonderful score.