Wandering through classical music

Sorry, Parla. When you are relatively new to this forum you want to get something off your chest, share views and get a debate going but don't realise your peers have already done it to death!

Graham

Indeed. You didn't mention that the reason this topic has lead to countless fruitless debates is precisely because of Parla's snobbery and intellectual  limitations. As I've said before, if you ignore him, the low life troll wil disappear...

After Mahler’s symphonies, Shstakovitsj would be a logical
next step. He took the late romantic symphony even further towards its apex and
natural conclusion. Start with the fourth and get thy mind blown.

Have you already tried Sibelius? The economy and severity of
form of his work might be a nice counterpoint to Mahler’s maximalism. His seven
symphonies are some of the finest symphonic writing of the 20th century. The
first two are pretty much rooted in tchaikovsky-like romanticism (yet still amazing
works), but from the third onwards he walks a road that is very much his own.

After that, the Second Viennese School (Schoenberg, Berg and
Webern) might be interesting to look into. As suggested by Graham J, start with
Verklärte Nacht, or Gurre Lieder, works that are still grounded in a late
romantic, post Wagnernian style that’s not too far removed from Mahler.
Schoenberg’s Violin concerto might also be a good starting point.

And I also second looking into French composers. They share
Mahler’s fascination with colour and timbre, but minus the hyper-emotionality. Debussy,
Fauré, Saint-Saens, Ravel, the french romantic organ school such as Wirdor,
Vierne or Gigout, and, when you’re ready for it, Messiaen.

Red flag? Well I suppose it has a certain resonance. However, I think I meant to say "red rag".

Macca and brumas est mort make reference to some great symphonists in Shostakovich, Sibelius and Vaughan Williams. The "symphony" is my favourite type of composition and I enjoy listening to cycles, which tend to track a composer's development throughout his life.

I have been listening recently to Rautavaara's symphonies and although I've only so far heard the first four (out of eight) to my ear they are really good and at times, although more modern sounding, aren't far away in terms of sound world from that other Scandinavian, Sibelius. I really recommend giving them a listen.

For a totally different symphonic experience, try the first three by Nino Rota. Beautifully written music that makes you smile, full of warm melodies and I guarantee you will be hooked. They have been a real discovery for me, as if Haydn was still writing music in the 20th century. There are really good performances and recordings available on Chandos. No wonder he was asked to write the Godfather film music!

Have any other forum goers made some good symphonic discoveries?

Graham

Cheers Parla, I shall scribble down those names and see what I can find. In the earlier group I have only heard of Spohr. And to hear you recommending a couple of 20th century composers is enough for me to look them up! I know its not really your bag.

Kind regards

Graham

HI Graham,

I would not claim discoveries but if you are looking for music that is not standard repetoire then there are many paths to take.

Parla mentioned Spohr and Ries amongst others. Ries is definitely Beethoven-lite (which is to be expected) and the echoes are very strong, but they make diverting listening. Spohr is newer territory for me.

If you like Berlioz and Liszt I would recommend Draeseke - four symphonies with merit (although the second is the finest of the bunch). If you like Brahms try Von Herzogenberg's two symphonies, which should really be better known. Closer to the canon I would suggest the works of Berwald, who definitely is undervalued and wrote some extremely attractive music.

Yesterday I listened to William Schumann's seventh symphony. I am trying to work out in my mind who is the better composer, Schuman or Howard Hanson - I suspect the answer may take some time!