 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: wjk
Date: 2003-04-27 23:58
I'd have to name Brahm's 4th as my favorite symphony. I find its power and majesty absolutely staggering. What would others consider (and give your reasons!) as your favorite symphony?
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Author: Jim E.
Date: 2003-04-28 04:28
I just heard it this evening at West Chester U. I hadn't lisdtened to it in many years and had forgotten how much I liked it. The director gave a short talk before and stated that he thought it was the most "spiritual" of all of Brahm's works.
My favorite symphony is the Beethoven 9th. OK, I'm a singer and am drawn to choral music, but I like the second movement almost as much as the 4th. The first movement isn't bad at all, and the 3rd permits a bit of a rest before the 4th. I have sung the 4th movement several times in both German (as written) and in English (a trans-literation of course.) It is a difficult work to sing with a wide vocal range, and much going on within it.
A translation of Schiller's words can be found at this link:
http://ifaq.wap.org/seasonal/odetojoy.html
In a separate concert at West Chester this afternoon I heard the Vaughn Williams "Sea Symphony" for the first time. While much more of a choral work than a symphony, it is worth a listen. He took his text from Walt Whitman, and the piece was written in English.
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-04-28 05:56
Symphony No. 7 in C major "The Earthly and Divine in Human Life" - Louis Spohr
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-04-28 06:20
Franck - Symphony in D minor.
Due to his early training as an organist, Franck's skill in creating an infinite number of orchestral colors and textures never ceases to amaze. With each repeated listening I hear something new.
Sadly, it was his last orchestral composition...GBK
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-04-28 06:22
Yes, GBK, I've had the pleasure of playing the Franck - it's certainly a stunner!
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2003-04-28 06:23
Mahler 1,
Vaughan Williams No. 2 'London'
Gorecki 3
Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique
If I had to pick one, it would be Mahler 1.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-04-28 06:34
diz...Thanks for the posting about the Spohr Symphony #7. Not one that I know.
I will make it a point to hear it...GBK
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Author: rbell96
Date: 2003-04-28 07:35
Mahler 7......... breathtaking work.
(Abbado & Berlin PO is my fave recording - its a recent live release)
Rob
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2003-04-28 13:14
Beethoven 6..
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-04-28 16:08
At the first consideration from reading the title-question, I picked Beeth. 6th, happy music, then the Franck, powerful-emotional, then the Bizet, then ------. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-04-28 17:18
Try the Herman Scherchen recording of Mahler 7, the opening movement is the best performance I have ever heard of this one!
David Dow
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Author: Shawn
Date: 2003-04-28 17:38
The symphonies of Mahler. I can't pick one. His use of timbre and orchestration are rivaled by very few. I suggest any recording conducted by Bernstein.
Bernstein struggled to find the conductor in the composer/ composer in the conductor, which gave him a better insight into Mahler's life and music.
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-04-28 23:21
The Scherchen Mahler 7 is on MCA Millenium Classics, check Amazon for the title in their collection. It is incredible the way the bridge theme in the centre of this movement is played on the strings!!! Unreal.
Very rare is this music played with such intimacy and fire! there is also a pretty good Mahler 2 and 5 on this label by him...these are budget Cds. The Mahler 7 is in MONO, but no matter...it staggers me everytime I hear the intensity of the first movement....the finale is pretty nice. But man, the first movement kicks
David Dow
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Author: Joel Clifton
Date: 2003-04-29 01:06
Oh man, so many to choose from! (and sad to say I haven't heard much of composers like Mahler, Sebilius, etc). But I think that my favorites would have to include Brahms' 4th (I cannot think of a more perfect compisition - the whole piece just works together so perfectly, the orchestration is perfect - it's just perfect), Tschaisovski's 6th symphony (especially the last movement - talk about an EMOTIONAL piece!!! WOW!), Saint Saens Organ Symphony . . . Ehh, they're all so good that I can't pick my favorite, and if I listed all the possible canditates for my favorite, it would take all day.
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Author: pzaur
Date: 2003-04-29 01:21
So many to choose from.......so many to choose from.....
I'd have to throw out in the mix Kalinnikov, Symphony No.1 Just a pleasure to listen to. Everyone's already mentioned many of my other favorites.
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Author: Mike Blinn
Date: 2003-04-29 05:37
The late Olivier Messiaen’s Turangalîla-Symphonie pour piano principal et grand orchestre.
My version is by l’ Orchestre de L’Opéra de la Bastille, Paris, conducted by Myung-Whun Chung with Yvonne Loriod, the composer’s wife on piano, and her sister Jeanne Loriod on the Ondes Martenot. (DG 173941)
This monumental work was first performed in 1949 by the Boston Symphony, conducted by Leonard Bernstein with Yvonne Loriod at the piano.
Messian wrote: “The Turangalîla-Symphonie is a love song. The Turangalîla-Symphonie is a hymn to joy…
A unique sound world by one the twentieth century's great masters.
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Author: Craig C
Date: 2003-04-29 12:10
I really enjoy the later symphonies of Tchaikovsky, particularly 4 & 5. All of Mahler and Shostakovich are absolutely phenomenal as well!
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Author: Carmen
Date: 2003-04-29 20:20
For all of the Mahler Symphonies i reccomend the Sir Georg Solti recordings, phenomenal and IMHO, the best out there.
I also really enjoy Brahms 4
Sibelius 5
Beethoven3+6
and Symphonie Fantastique
***...so do all who seen such times, but that is not for them to decide. All you can do is decide what to do with the time that is given to you.***
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2003-04-29 21:03
A little-known symphony I really like (very emotional, and has LOTS of good bass clarinet writing in it!) -- the "Asrael" Symphony by Joseph Suk (Dvorak's son-in-law, it so happens). The best recording I've heard of it so far is by the Royal Liverpool Symphony Orchestra conducted by Libor Pesek.
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-04-30 05:22
Actually - I have to reconsider and totally agree with Mike
The Messiaen is simply superb - I heard a wonderful Sydney Symphony concert of it once with his lordship sitting very near to me in the audience - it was a truely humbling experience.
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Author: Brandon
Date: 2003-04-30 05:25
Chicago may have a wonderful set of Mahler symphonies, but the CSO cannot touch the Cleveland recording of the third mvt. of 6. I do not care for Szell's tempi throughout the first movement though. As far as narrowing down to just a couple of symphonies, I would have to say that right now I am fascinated with the symphonies of Mehul. I had never heard of this guy and was in Tower and picked up a Naxos recording of it. He composed around the time of Beethoven , but in France. As far as standard repertoire stuff, I would say Brahms 1 is up there. I really love the third movement. Actually...as I sit here I cannot think of one particular symphony, as I like movements of particular symphonies, but as an overall work I would not consider it the best. I would say though that I prefer certain orchestras, such as Cleveland and Berlin. And even then it is limited to who the conductor is.
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-04-30 05:39
I've not heard an American orchestra (or german for that matter) recording of Mahler that does it for me like the Bernard Haitink recordings with the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam
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Author: Garret
Date: 2003-04-30 06:26
Brahms 1 and 4, esp. 2nd movement of 1
Mahler 1
Berlioz Syphonie Fantastique
Tchaikovsky 4,5,6
not a "symphony" but Stravinsky's Rite of Spring
my fav symphony depends on my mood at the time.
If I were stranded on a desert island with only one CD to listen to, I'd go crazy.
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Author: William
Date: 2003-05-01 14:45
My favorite is the one that I am playing or listening to. I find beauty in all works musical--or maybe it is that I really have no musical taste and am just too easily amused.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-05-01 15:31
That's a real tough one,WJK, but I must say that Brahms' 4th has long been my favorite too trailed closely by Sibelius' 7th.
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Author: estclar82
Date: 2003-05-02 08:21
Tchaikovsky no. 4 and 5.
Totally russian power and passion.
The best performance is Leningrad Philarmonic orchestra cond. Mravinsky
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2003-05-02 20:39
Well, am I really the first to post Rach 2 ? My favourite as it contains the most emotional and intense solos for the clarinet - a real chance to lose yourself in your instrument. Also the writing is just superb for all wind.
Very close second has to be another not previously mentioned - William Grant Still Symphony No 1 (Afro-American Symphony) Full of blues and Afro- Amer rhythms BUT it really lets the bass clarinetist come into his/her own with outstanding and unusual solos. Otherwise the bass part is very meaningful. (About to play this in September.)
Beethoven 6 and Brahms 4 thereafter.
But, like a previous poster I get a lot out of any symphony we're currently rehearsing.
BobT
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2003-05-04 10:53
Dvorak 9! Just cause it's so cutesy, and I studied it for about 6 months, I know it inside and out. I'm really getting into Mahler 2 lately through rehearsals. I've never really appreciated mahler until I had to sit there, and really listen to other parts, details, etc.
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-05-04 22:42
Morrigan - I, too have studied the New World - there is nothing vageuly cute about this deeply profound, mature Dvorak masterpiece. Are you off your meds?
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Author: happyamateur
Date: 2003-05-05 02:39
I doubt that I'll get any seconding, but one of my favorites has got to be Berwald's Sinfonie Singuliere. I know, hardly a revolution in the making but still a delight to listen to. Try the Neeme Jarvi and Goteborgs Symfoniker recording on DG.
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Author: Corey W
Date: 2003-05-05 03:07
I wouldn't call it my favorite, but I too like the Dvorak 9th. I think it is very beautiful music, I especially like the second movment with the preety english horn solos, as well as when english horn and clarinet play together.
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-05-05 05:03
happyamateur - it's a joy isn't it? I like the four Berwald very much myself.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2003-05-05 12:19
Hell yeah it's cutesy! It may be serious and profound as well, but, I still find it cutesy. That motif with the clarinets in octaves where you hit high G... THAT'S cutesy. The clarinet solo in the last movement, that's cutesy.
Anyway, everyone's entitled to their own opinion. Besides, don't you read my signature?! It's says NEVER QUOTE ME! :p
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Author: happyamateur
Date: 2003-05-07 23:44
Yes, Diz, it is a joy. I'm not sure why Berward isn't more "popular", his smaller scale work is fabulous as well.
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-05-08 00:06
happyamateur - also (from the Scandinavian lands) is Stenhamar's wonderful Overture "Exelsior" - which is simply thrilling. Barenreiter publish the four Berwald Symphonies in study score - I own them - very interesting orchestration and very interesting very high clarinet passages (altissimo) occasionally.
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