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I'd like several serious Symphony Heads to list their list of say 8 to 10 favorite symphonies. And they can list there second favorites too.
If you insist you can throw in another form of classical music. I am primarily interested in the form of Symphony however.
I'll start out with four of my top list of 20:
Anton Bruckner Symphony # 9
Gustav Mahler Symphony # 5
Jean Sibelius # 5
Albrich Magnard # 4 (Who? Let's here it for the French!)
Originally posted by jaywillDvorak is thick for my taste, not being a conossieur,
New World Symphony?
How do you like his others?
I'v heard 8,7,5,4 and an early one which alone was the only one enfluenced by Wagner.
and I find No. 9 quite easy to digest.
And now that you've mentioned The Man 😉 I will say
the Ride of the Valkyries influences me like nothing else
Originally posted by SeitseDvorak's New World Symphony makes masterful use of recollection of fragments of earlier themes in the last movement as backround motifs.
Dvorak is thick for my taste, not being a conossieur,
and I find No. 9 quite easy to digest.
And now that you've mentioned The Man 😉 I will say
the Ride of the Valkyries influences me like nothing else
I consider it a great example of economical use of material. His melodies are very stable and memorable. I am of the opinion that this particular symphony was his Bohemian ear for American melodies. Some dispute that of course.
Originally posted by Mephisto2I agree with many of the choices above. In addition:
not necessarily in order of preference, perhaps not even the best:
Mahlers' 1st, 5th,8th
Beethovens 5th, 6th, 7th
Tsaikovski's 5th, 6th
Shostakovich's 7th
Bruckners' 5th
Benjamin Brittens' Simple symphony
Berlioz's "Symphonie Fantastique" -- the greatest and most audiacious first symphony ever written.
Also, modern English composer's Robert Simpson's first symphony is excellent. Simpson is underrated in my view.
Even more recently, composer's Michael Torke's "Brick Symphony" is a neo-romantic classic, full of melody and drama.
Originally posted by jaywillOne amazing thing about the New World symphony is the degree of repetition in it. Bars are played through twice all over the place.
Dvorak's New World Symphony makes masterful use of recollection of fragments of earlier themes in the last movement as backround motifs.
I consider it a great example of economical use of material. His melodies are very stable and memorable. I am of the opinion that this particular symphony was his Bohemian ear for American melodies. Some dispute that of course.
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Originally posted by Mephisto2All the ones in your list I also like.
not necessarily in order of preference, perhaps not even the best:
Mahlers' 1st, 5th,8th
Beethovens 5th, 6th, 7th
Tsaikovski's 5th, 6th
Shostakovich's 7th
Bruckners' 5th
Benjamin Brittens' Simple symphony
Shostakovich 7th I have only recently given serious attention to.
IF ever a composer played with your head it is Shostakovich.
Have you heard Shostakovich 4th Symphony? Ugly! But fascinating and ugly IMO.
I prefer a few other Bruckner's before the 5th, like 8,7 and 6. But very interesting indeed that you have chosen the Bruckner 5 as tops.
I'm interested to know more of your favorites.
I will add to my list the Estonian composer Eduard Tubin's 1rst and 4th Symphonies.
I will add Prokofiev 5th and 6th.
Originally posted by jaywillProkofiev's Classical Symphony is also more than mere pastiche.
All the ones in your list I also like.
Shostakovich 7th I have only recently given serious attention to.
IF ever a composer played with your head it is Shostakovich.
Have you heard Shostakovich 4th Symphony? Ugly! But fascinating and ugly IMO.
I prefer a few other Bruckner's before the 5th, like 8,7 and 6. But very interesting inde ...[text shortened]... onian composer Eduard Tubin's 1rst and 4th Symphonies.
I will add Prokofiev 5th and 6th.
Originally posted by AmauroteI don't know Shoshtakovich Tenth. Among Shostakovich fans I hear it mentioned a lot.
Shostakovich's Tenth every time.
On a Shostakovich-related question, does anyone know which symphony the Alexander Kerensky theme music from Eisenstein's October is from?
I have heard of Shostakovich
#1,4,5,6,7,8,9,11,15