Which symphony would you rather listen to?

[ihatepop]

Hope that you'll bother to say why...

[henrah]

Mahler's Ressurection symphony, just to be awkward

Oh, and why? Because I'm... GONNA!

[Ruro]

Ooh, I like this thread! I really wanna enjoy more symphonies, but tbh, there are loads out there, and for me they take a while to really "understand", so I can't say I get to know enough. Rachmaninoff's first I know is quite cool, the first five of Prokofiev's are sweet! And Naturally some of beethoven I'm quite familiar with, especially the Ninth ^_^;;

Although I hardly listen to it, I would have to go with the first one, Beethoven's Fifth, which I believe has the famous... strings section bit to open with!

I so wanna hear Mahler's works though, Mahler is a cool name, which for me usually indicates great works by the said person  Symphonies sounds like something he did many of, hmmm, I will investigate now!

[gruffalo]

i love the Rach symphonies, all of them, 1st 2nd and 3rd.

[bearzinthehood]

Hmm, Beethoven 7th.

[JCarey]

I so wanna hear Mahler's works though, Mahler is a cool name, which for me usually indicates great works by the said person  Symphonies sounds like something he did many of, hmmm, I will investigate now!

For me, Mahler's music is the most powerful ever written. My current favorite Mahler symphony is #8, possibly the greatest piece of music ever written. It is scored for over a thousand performers, hence the popular title "Symphony of a Thousand." It is some of the most profound, moving music I have ever heard.

Among my other favorites are the 1st and 2nd symphonies. The first is also known as the "Titan," and is incredibly exciting, and probably the best introduction to Mahler's music. Mahler's 2nd symphony ("Ressurrection") is, again, incredible. The ending is the most powerful thing I've ever heard in my life, moving me to tears every time I listen to it. I'm not really religious, but for me listening to this piece is a religious experience, which was Mahler's intention, I'm sure.

The rest are wonderful as well, my other favorites being 6 and 9. You must (MUST!) listen to this music. Now, of course, Mahler's music is not for everyone, especially those who only listen to piano music. But still, listening to a Mahler symphony or, even moreso, hearing one live, is an experience like no other.

I'd be willing to send you some of the symphonies if you're interested.

[Tash]

well i said beethoven's 5th cos that's my fave out of that list, but i'm currently obsessed with vaughan williams no.3 it's beautiful. and mahler's the bomb, i like no.4. and brahms, and rachmaninov, the list goes on and on and on....

[apion]

Bruckner 8

[alejo_90]

well i said beethoven's 5th cos that's my fave out of that list, but i'm currently obsessed with vaughan williams no.3 it's beautiful. and mahler's the bomb, i like no.4. and brahms, and rachmaninov, the list goes on and on and on....

Me too, except that I'm obsessed with Mozart's 25th, it's amazing.

Best
Alex

[BoliverAllmon]

For me, Mahler's music is the most powerful ever written. My current favorite Mahler symphony is #8, possibly the greatest piece of music ever written. It is scored for over a thousand performers, hence the popular title "Symphony of a Thousand." It is some of the most profound, moving music I have ever heard.

Among my other favorites are the 1st and 2nd symphonies. The first is also known as the "Titan," and is incredibly exciting, and probably the best introduction to Mahler's music. Mahler's 2nd symphony ("Ressurrection") is, again, incredible. The ending is the most powerful thing I've ever heard in my life, moving me to tears every time I listen to it. I'm not really religious, but for me listening to this piece is a religious experience, which was Mahler's intention, I'm sure.

The rest are wonderful as well, my other favorites being 6 and 9. You must (MUST!) listen to this music. Now, of course, Mahler's music is not for everyone, especially those who only listen to piano music. But still, listening to a Mahler symphony or, even moreso, hearing one live, is an experience like no other.

I'd be willing to send you some of the symphonies if you're interested.

I second this. His symphonies are phenomenal. You can listen to his Titan on www.classicalarchives.net they have a free mp3 of the symphony.

Besides Mahler shostakovich is the man when it comes to symphonies.

[mikey6]

On the list, probably the Tchaik.  It still shites me how he can make such a gorgeous melody out of a freakin 4 note scale!!! (last mov. 2nd theme)
Sibleius 5 is another of my favourites (got the swan theme! - hopefully they'll have an exceprt of that on Sibelius version 5 ) Beethoven 7 is probably my favourite Beethoven. 
Vaughan Williams 5, Brahms 3, Shosta 7, Prokofiev 1 and 6 - arguably his best work, Schumann 'Rhenish', Mendelssohn 3 or 4 - there ist too many!! (then there's symphonic poems - Mr. Strauss)

[Waldszenen]

Amazing how no one's voted Beethoven's Eroica yet - this is one of his most powerful symphonies.

[pianiststrongbad]

Beethoven 9

[donjuan]

i voted for tchaikovsky.  I especially love the thunder in the trombones in the first movement.  and each movement is so unique... you can finish listening to it and just start from the beginning again; it's like watching your favorite movie

[Kassaa]

Beethoven 9

Concurred.

[ihatepop]

I myself like the Beethoven 5th. Starts with a few thunderous blows and ends with a loud sense of victory. Personally one of my favourite symphonys.

[sergei r]

Tchaikovsky 6, out of that list.

I love symphonies and am starting to collect them with my limited budget. I currently only own the Beethoven, Brahms, last 2 Dvorak and last 3 Tchaikovsky as well as having downloaded the complete Prokofiev from classic.chubrik.ru but am planning on buying Schumann, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Sibelius, Shostakovich, Vaughan Williams and Mahler in the future when I have money to spend. I'd really like to hear these.