Dvořák 4

Since I bought an LP of it back in the 1970's I have had a special fondness for Dvořák’s 4th. Though it is an early work, it shows many of the characteristics of the mature symphonies, particularly in the beautiful slow movement and the lively finale. There are plenty of performances of Dvořák’s last four symphonies. The first five deserve more outings as well. 

Aho 13 "Symphonic Characterisations"

Using material from the composer's opera the Book of Secrets, the 13th is a typical large-scale, dramatic work cast in two movements. The characterisations are several reflections on human character with the symphony having short, contrasting sections within the two movements. Gradually the musical contrasts  become more coherent and powerful till there is a huge climax in the second movement before the music fades away to its end. Another fine symphony by this interesting composer, similar in some ways to his remarkable contrabassoon concerto.

Schubert 2

To my shame, I have to say I only really know Schubert's last two symphonies, but then they are two of the most wonderful pieces ever written. 
The second symphony could be dismissed as a rather conventional work, but considering it is the work of a teenager, it would be unfair to criticise it too much, but better to focus on the fine opening movement and the assured way the young man uses the orchestra throughout.

 

Alwyn 5 "Hydriotaphia"

I admit I chose this symphony as I wanted to listen to a fairly short work, but I had decided that Alwyn should be the next composer on my list. The odd name of the symphony comes from a work by Sir Thomas Browne regarding burial customs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydriotaphia

Unsurprisingly with such an inspiration this concise symphony has elements of both clashing dissonance and relective sadness. The quiet ending could be seen as a farewell to symphonic writing, but I do not know if Alwyn planned this to be his last symphony and he lived another 12 years after it was written. 

I listened to the composer's own recording, but this is another on youtube.

Shostakovich 7 "Leningrad"

It is amazing to think that the score of a symphony written during one of the most horrendous sieges in history should have been smuggled out and then taken abroad to huge acclaim during the Second World War.
The symphony is most famous for the insidious, repeated march of the first movement depicting the Nazi invasion (though it was later claimed by some to be also a portrait of Stalin's destructiveness). 

Subsequently falling out of fashion, it seems to be taken more seriously now. A few years ago Ian MacDonald, in his book the New Shostakovich, argued that it is a finer work than the 8th symphony. I disagree, though it contains some fine music. The performance, conducted by Neeme Järvi was very fine. I am lookin forward to Petrenko's recording.

Carter Symphonia: Sum fluxae pretium spei

Carter's late, magnificent work demonstrates how it is possible to write a symphony in a modernist language while remaining faithful to tradition. Well, possible if you are a genius like Carter. 
Originally written and performed in three separate movements due to his advanced age and not knowing if he would finish it as a complete symphony, it still coheres together well. The slow movement is beautiful and tragic; the last movement a light finale.
Delightful that Elliott is still with us at the age of 102, as I write this and some 15 years after the Sinfonia was completed. 

Aho 15

In 40 years of seriously listening to music and attending concerts, I have never been to the world premiere of a symphony. That is before this week when I went to see and hear the BBC Philharmonic give the first performance of Kalevi Aho's 15th symphony in Manchester.

I have enjoyed Aho's symphonies over the last few years and previously been to a perfomance of the 10th. This new work didn't disappoint. The first movement with its amazing string sound at the opening was dramatic and effective. The second movement was a sleazy dance in 5/8 time with lots of percussion. The slow movement used the percussion more lightly before the last movement built up to a big, driving climax with powerful use of Middle-Eastern and African drums.

I was considering that most (all?) of Aho's previous symphonies seem to end quietly, so it was interesting that he chose a loud, dramatic closing dance this time.

I am feel quite privileged that I am currently one of the few people who have heard 14 of Aho's 15 symphonies (the 6th is still to be recorded and I haven't heard it. I am looking forward to the broadcast this coming Friday and I hope it is not long before BIS issue the recording.

Walton 1

Radio 3 is definitely controlling my choices far too much. But I couldn't resist listening to this performance of one of my favourite symphonies and, arguably, the finest written by an Englishman. (Vaughan Williams may be our greatest symphonist but I really do think it is possible that Walton's First is a stunning masterpiece).
It obviously owes a lot to Sibelius, especially the Finnish composer's Fifth, from the broad landscape and wonderful theme of the opening to the multiple chords with which it ends. 
Interesting that the performance I heard was by a Russian conductor - Semyon Bychkov. I don't think I could live with this performance. It didn't quite bring off the first movement, but the Scherzo (Presto con malizia - I love that description; very fast with malice) and the difficult finale were performed very well.
This was a difficult work for Walton. A relationship ended during its composition and he didn't produce the final movement for the deadline, but for me it is a work I cannot hear too often. My only regret is Walton managed only one other symphony after this.

Haydn 43 "Mercury"

A random choice again made for me by Radio 3 as I was driving. Unlike the "Philosopher" symphony, I couldn't find this symphony so interesting and distinctive. I suppose this is simply a situation where I need to listen more. Still I can't deny it is both well-crafted and an expression of Haydn's joy in life.

Schnittke 2 "St Florian"

Inspired by a visit to the St Florian monastery where Bruckner played the organ and is buried, Schnittke's Second Symphony is another post-modern work but less diverse and radical than his first. That said, it still has contrasting sections of consonant religous singing and dissonant orchestral writing. But here the religous, strongly melodic music gradually takes over and the work moves to a serene ending. It is a masterful and moving piece of music, obviously related to the work of other composers in the communist countries like Part and Gorecki who simplified their style moving from modernism to "holy minimalism".

Kaipainen 2

Perhaps two contemporary symphonies in a day was a little too much, but somehow it felt right for me. I have enjoyed what little I have heard of the music of Jouni Kaipainen since I bought a CD of his Third Symphony and Bassoon Concerto a few years ago. The Third Symphony is very impressive and I was definitely also taken with the Second Symphony. This work is in two movements, the second longer and more tense and dramatic than the first and both progressing from to fast. His First Symphony is in one movement and the Third in three. Apparently the Fourth Symphony was premiered last year. Does it follow the pattern? I cheated with the video: it is the horn concerto

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David Matthews 6

I like the music of both David and Colin Matthews (a concert highlight a couple of years ago was going to see Colin Matthews Alphabicycle Order). David Matthews may be too conservative for many tastes, but I believe he demonstrates that there is plenty of life in the symphony. I love this work especially for its brief, dramatic scherzo and the beautiful variations on the hymn tune Down Ampney in the third and concluding movement. 
I would have liked to post a youtube link, but I can only find the Dave Matthews band. 

Beethoven 7

I heard a little extract from this and I had to put on the CD with Haitink and the RPO. If I remember correctly Wagner called this symphon the apotheosis of the dance. It was a good choice to follow the Haydn. The language may have moved on, but this is another symphony which manages to be both happy and profound. Why is Beethoven often seen as so serious?

Haydn 22 "The Philosopher"

I had heard the Philosopher a couple of times a few months ago and decided to revisit it. I think it is my favourite of Haydn's early symphonies (not that I have heard them all, of course). The slow opening movement is delightful; the main theme wondering around aimlessly in a way that sounds very modern, rather than from a work of the mid 18th century. The livelier, following movements demonstrate how Haydn could be both delightful and profound. A happy work, by an apparently happy man. 

 

Beethoven 3 "Eroica"

I was wondering when I would get round to Beethoven. The BBC again kindly made the choice for me. Is this the greatest symphony ever written. It very probably is. This is a work I can never tire of - the slow movement as profound and moving as any music of any time. I must listen to this again. And again...

 

Schnittke 1

I decided it was time for another big symphony. The Royal Stockholm Philharmonic and Leif Segerstam give a remarkable performance of this utterly remarkable and unique symphony. The mix of classical quotations, jazz improvisation and tuning up combined in Schnittke's post-modernism is a heady complex mix. That it works at all is amazing. That it both manages to comment on Soviet society and be absolutely enthralling makes it one of the most symphonies of the second half of the twentieth century. 

 

Carter 1

I heard Elliott Carter's First symphony at a concert in 1983. It was a 75th birthday concert for him and I knew he was going to be in the audience. I went assuming it might be the only opportunity to see him in the flesh. And I vividly remember him standing and applauding at the end; a small, neat man. As I write this over 27 years later Carter is still alive, but I haven't seen him since. Take these opportunities while you can.
I wasn't familiar with the symphony when I first heard it and I was shocked as the music started. It's an early work with more in common with Copland and Barber than the wonderful modernism of mature Carter. Elliott Carter can write memorable tunes and even be jazzy. Always good to have your preconceptions destroyed. 

 

Mozart 41 "Jupiter"

Thanks to the BBC I am really getting through these symphonies. I don't want to be too far ahead but 366 is going to take me well under a year at this rate. Still perhaps I need to build up a surplus of 15 before I take my holiday in May.
I have little to say about this symphony which was broadcast in a vintage and brilliant performance conducted by Georg Szell. Mozart wouldn't have been aware it was his last symphony, of course, but he produced a miraculous work; one of the greatest symphonies ever written and only a relatively few years after the symphony became "standardised" as a concert work. The fugue at the end remains simply breath-taking. 

Nielsen 1

I heard this work two years ago in the complete cycle which the Halle and CBSO performed in Manchester. I listened to an interview at the time with the conductor Mark Elder who quoted an orchestra member who said the symphony was "not bad for a number one." And it's not. It may be the least of Nielsen's symphonies but it starts with amazing confidence and remains impressive throughout. Apparently Nielsen played in the first performance as one of the second violins. That must be unique in musical history.

 

Vaughan Williams Pastoral Symphony

I admit to laziness. I simply listened to the rest of RVW CD. I think Handley more effectively caught the beauty of this symphony than the violence of the 4th. The Pastoral symphony is an elegy for the lost of the First World War with a sad bugle call and a heart-breaking finale with a wordless singer. It deserves to be much better known.

Vaughan Williams 4

Again something of an almost random choice reaching for a RVW symphony and taking the first CD that came to hand. I listened to Vernon Handley's recording of this remarkable work. Much as I admire him as a conductor I have to say I don't think he quite caught the violence and strangeness of the 4th. It must have been a major shock for its listeners at the first performance as RVW moved into his remarkable old age. 
I need to listen to another recording of this. 

Sibelius 7

I wasn't planning to listen to this symphony but Radio 3 chose it for me as I was driving to Sheffield. I can't say it is a work I have got my head round it fully, but what a wonderful piece of music it is. Sibelius and Mahler famously disagreed about the nature of symphonies and this symphony shows how profound Sibelius could be while still being concise.
Is my listening a reflection of how more I enjoy Sibelius than Mahler as my tastes mature or grow older?
 

Anderson Symphony

From a Finnish symphony to one inspired by a Finnish painting. Along with several contemporary composers, I like Julian Anderson a great deal. It is also interesting to see how many living composers are rediscovering the symphony. Anderson's work was inspired by the wonderful painting Lake Keitele by Akseli Gallen Kallela. It's a very evocative piece of music with the cold landscape evoked in its slow, beautiful opening. I have two CDs by Julian Anderson.  I am looking forward to hearing more of his music.

Melartin 1

I am a little obsessed with Finnish music, but I hadn't heard of Erkki Melartin before I saw a set of his symphonies at a bargain price on Amazon. I had to buy them them and find out more. Melartin was a few years younger than Sibelius and rather lived in the shadow of that great composer. 

The first symphony seems a pleasant, competent, romantic work, written in 1902 but sounding as if it could have come from a few years earlier. It does sound a little Sibelian and it's fairly concise unlike some of the symphonic monsters around at the time. Melartin wasn't a great composer, but he deserves to be more widely known. And it's further evidence that, for its population size, Finland may be the greatest composing country since the 1890s.

Mahler (ed Cooke) 10

Having sped through some short classical and 20th century symphonies, I decided it was about time for one of the works of the romantic repertoire. I had listened to most of Bruckner before starting this blog, so the obvious choice was Mahler.
I used to totally adore Mahler and would have said he was one of my favourite composers, but in the last few years I seem to have cooled. Last year was the 150th anniversary of his death and I didn't do much by way of listening. I bought a couple of bargain CDs. I didn't get my act together to go to any concerts.
At first today I thought of listening to the 3rd, but then I decided I wanted to hear the 10th again. I haven't heard it for a time. Randomly I picked out an old CD with Rattle conducting the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, not the Berlin Phil. Not the greatest performance, but somewhat ground breaking in its time when complete versions of the 10th were rarely recorded.
Did I enjoy this symphony as much as I used to? No. Did I think there was some absolutely beautiful music still? Yes. I need to listen to it again. Maybe I can rekindle my enthusiasm for Mahler.

Hovhaness 53 "Star Dawn"

8 March 2011 is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Alan Hovhaness. A little randomly I chose number 53 of his symphonies on spotify (I don't know how many of his 70 or so symphonies are available as recordings).

I have heard Hovhaness's music in the past, without it making a great impression. This symphony seemed pleasant enough with its brass chorales and tuned percussion; a little reminiscent of the so-called "holy minimalism" of composers like Gorecki or some from the former Soviet Union. Given that Hovhaness was American-Armenian, I assume he was working from similar influences, though his titles seem more mystical than conventionally religous.

Haydn 88

The BBC is definitely  helping me get through the symphonies with a broadcast today of Rattle's recording with the Berlin Phil. I have a feeling I have heard this symphony live and, like so many of Haydn's late symphonies, it offers of ease of hearing and profundity. Rattle's performance seemed good, but maybe not world-beating.
If you played this to me and asked me which Haydn symphony, I admit I wouldn't know. 
Here's another recording 

 

C.P.E. Bach: Symphony in G, Wq.182/1; Symphony in G, Wq.173; Symphony in E, Wq.182/6; Symphony in E flat, Wq.179

Having an entire concert of mid-19th century symphonies is obviously a good way to really get through the 366 (I was never planning to do them exactly one a day, but I didn't want to get too far ahead of myself).
These were enjoyable performances by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Roger Norrington, but I would be lying if I found all the music distinctive. That said, with time and patience, I am sure I would start to  recognise the works individually. I particularly liked the last movement of Wq.182/1 and Wq.182/6 so perhaps that was the point in his career when CPE Bach was writing for me. On the whole pleasant diversion, but I doubt I will be buying the CDs. 

Mozart 34

Obviously the BBC is keeping me in the mainstream by broadcasting another fine Austrian symphony. This performance by the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra was poised, elegant and a fine demonstration of how much Mozart could say in a short time.
Comparing it to Hogwood performing Haydn yesterday I realised that the San Francisco Orchestra seemed to be be more successful in lightness of touch and appropriate tempi than Hogwood's period performers. Probably a sign of how performance practice has moved on in the last few years.

 

Haydn 94 "The Surprise"

I had already intended to listen to a Haydn symphony today and the BBC obliged me by broadcasting this work. Having made three posts on works from outside the mainstream I thought it was time to go the heart of the Austro-German tradition. 
Unfortunately Christopher Hogwoood's recording was a little too prosaic for my tastes with the slow movement being a little leaden and the "surprise" ineffective. I think I will return to Colin Davis's performance - though I also appreciate many won't like his big band versions of the London symphonies.

And there is the version with extra surprises

 
 

Shostakovich 1

The cover of the CD has a photo of Shostakovich holding a cat. I have not seen this photograph before, but apparently it was taken not long before the premiere of the first symphony. It reminds me of how young the composer was at the time, and this symphony may be the most remarkable written by a teenager.
Again Petrenko and the RLPO give an excellent performance and it's only at a Naxos price. 

Dukas Symphony in C

As Dukas was Composer of the Week on Radio 3 it seemed a good opportunity to listen to his one and only symphony on iplayer: a work I have never heard before. It may be an old cliche that the French don't write symphonies, and this certainly isn't my favourite period in music, but I found this symphony uninteresting. I can't deny it was well-constructed, but it wasn't memorable and there was something of a feeling of aspriring to be Bruckner, but nowhere  near as good.
There is also a cliche to say it is unfair to remember Dukas for anything but the Sorcerer's Apprentice, but maybe Dukas really didn't do anything good enough to escape the shadow of Micky Mouse.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XChxLGnIwCU

Shostakovich 3

I have been thinking for a time of blogging what music I have been listening to. For the past eight days I was listening to one Bruckner symphony a day and I thought maybe I could listen to 366 different symphonies over the next year.

The new recording of Shostakovich 3 by Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic arrived in the post today.

I have been been buying each of their Shostakovich CDs on release and was eager to hear this. I can't call the 3rd a masterpiece, but here it gets a dynamic, brilliant performance as committed as if it were a major work. Interesting how some it also reminded me of the scherzo of the 10th. 

I also listened to On This Island by Britten - great settings of Auden poems sung by the late Philip Langridge. I didn't plan this, but interesting to hear two early works by precocious composers who later became friends. 

The link isn't Langridge. Apologies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC5LiugNOtk&feature=related