Showing posts with label Symphonies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Symphonies. Show all posts

Thursday, 14 June 2012

10 Fantastic Symphonies

This article is no subjective opinion on my part by any stretch of the imagination. The symphonies mentioned here, are considered by many scholars to be amongst the most exceptional ever written. From Haydn, who is considered the daddy of the symphony, to Shostakovich, whom many consider the greatest symphonist of the 20th Century. The 10 works mentioned here can be heard and seeing within youtube at leisure -- enjoy them.

Ten great symphonies - this list will include some of the most famous symphonies ever created. The symphony stands alone as the greatest and most complex of musical genres. The symphony form is to music what the novel, epic poem and perform forms are to books. However, when Haydn first launched the symphony form, it wasnt as complex as it would later become towards the end of the 19th Century and throughout the 20th CenturyThe word symphony within Greek means "agreement or concord of sound"; a symphony is an orchestral composition. The symphony is recognized from the sonata as being a work for full orchestra, as opposed to the sonata that is typically a work for solo instrument or little ensemble. Both the symphony and sonata retain the "Sonata Allegro Form, " the most complicated and structured of musical forms.... Here are some of the very exceptional and famous symphonies ever written: Mozart - Symphony No. 41 (Jupiter), composed in 1788Mozart was Haydns younger contemporary, so after Haydn introduced the symphony form, Mozart decided to give it a try. And that he did, by composing this symphony, which is considered one of the biggest and most famous symphonies of times. Haydn - Symphony Absolutely no. 102, composed in 1794Haydn may be credited with having been the father of the symphony - he was the first composer that stopped calling it an overture, which is what it had been it was called within his day. Most people mention additional Haydn symphonies and generally omit the 102; nevertheless, the 102 was the very first symphony ever written where the horns are slightly muted within the second movement - an exceptional work which oftentimes goes unnoticed. Beethoven - Symphony Absolutely no. 9, composed in 1824 No famous symphonies list is complete without this one. Perhaps the greatest symphony actually written, maybe greatest musical composition of all times, as well as one of the most famous symphonies ever created. Take your pick. In the same way every writer has attemptedto outdo Virgil, Dante, Shakespeare and Milton, likewise every composer has tried to outdo Beethoven and they have all fallen brief. The first movement is groundbreaking for the minor key, and the second movement is really a very futuristic scherzo. The third movement is by itself one of the biggest and most beautiful actions ever written in songs - stands unique. The "big tune finale" is nice, though pales by comparison towards the third movement - arguably the greatest most influential symphony ever written. Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique, composed in 1830 The daddy of program music, as hes oftentimes called, was responsible for this particular prophetic work. The work has a tale, his obsession with a young and beautiful Shakespearean celebrity named Harriet Smithson. Rejection is a powerful thing, so what does Berlioz perform? He takes opium, obsesses over her, and finally kills the womans - this masochistic story is taking place musically throughout the symphony, via its 5 movements - they eventually get married in actual life.... Great work! Brahms - Symphony No 2, composed in 1877 Brahms has been rightfully called the greatest composer of symphonies since Beethoven. This symphony is essential for any student associated with composition - its firmly knighted structure and outstanding thematic material can only be the work of Brahms. Brahms was one from the undisputed giants of nineteenth Century music. Cesar Franck - Symphony within D minor, composed in 1888One of the most modernistic works of the actual 19th Century. A work which foreshadows twentieth Century compositional techniques. Dvorak - Symphony Absolutely no. 9, composed between 1892-1895Is Dvoraks magnum opus, as well as one of the biggest and most famous symphonies of the 19th Century. The work was composed during Dvoraks trip to the USA. The work shows Dvoraks exceptional gift for writing stunning melodies, coupled with his knack for brilliant orchestration. Mahler - Symphony of a Thousand (No. 8), composed in 1906Mahler known as this work: His Symphony No. 8 in E toned major; nevertheless, the work is famously known as the Symphony of a lot of, because of its too much large orchestral score. Furthermore, many will argue that Mahlers Symphony No. 5, 6, 7 and 9 are more original and groundbreaking compared to 8 is. The second part of the symphony is an useless, though very bold make an effort to stage Part II (the very end) of Goethes Faust - this symphony is a must for those who like loud, exaggerated and passionate music. approximately 200 instrumentalists and around 800 vocalists are essential to perform it.... This work might or might not be probably the most famous symphonies ever written, but its one of the very interesting. Shostakovich - Symphony No. 8, composed in 1943Is one of the biggest symphonies of the 20th Century. Shostakovich was a disciple associated with Mahler - many consider Shostakovich the greatest composer of the 20th Century. This work is a must for any student of orchestration and composition. Prokofiev - Symphony No. 5, composed in 1944Is perhaps Prokofievs greatest work. Like all (the majority of anyway) of Prokofievs work, its very intellectual. Though oddly enough, this work is easy to listen to.


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Wednesday, 13 June 2012

The Beethoven Symphonies

In total Ludwig Van Beethoven wrote nine symphonies. Each one of them is a masterpiece in itself, and all are different from each other, representing a certain stage in the development of Beethoven's musical symphonic language.

The first symphony was first performed in 1800, and marked Beethoven's debut as a composer. It is from all points of view a classical era composition, strongly anchored in the coordinates of the Viennese musical life. Beethoven's predecessors, Mozart and Haydn in particular, set a standard that Beethoven would take into consideration.

Beethoven's second symphony is a work in a lighter, more joyful style. Some believe this work was a result of Beethoven's personal will to overcome his hearing loss.

Beethoven's third symphony, "Eroica", debuted in 1805, and was called by some a masterpiece, and by others a work struggling for originality. It marked a turning point in Beethoven's style. The work consists of four movements and is written in the key of E flat-major.

Beethoven's fourth symphony marked yet another return to a lighter, more joyful style. However, this was a lesser known work and did not receive as much attention as the third symphony. Interestingly, no drafts of this composition remain. All that is known about this work is that Beethoven had begun working on the 5th symphony while he was writing this one.

Beethoven's fifth symphony is by far the most well known symphony in the world. Its opening four notes are unmistakable. This work was written in the key of C minor which became known as a "special key for Beethoven" due to its "stormy and heroic tonality". This composition sometimes goes by the name "The Symphony of Destiny".

The Sixth symphony premiered in 1808. Sometimes referred to as the "Pastoral" symphony, contains some of Beethoven's most beautiful writing. In the concert program Beethoven labeled it "Recollections of Country Life." This symphony is in contrast to symphony number five, reflecting the composer's love for nature.

Symphony number seven is widely known as the symphony of dance. The haunting 2nd movement is often encored and performed by itself. This work debuted in 1813

.Symphony number eight is the shortest of Beethoven's symphonic works. It is often referred to as "The Little Symphony in F Major." It is often overlooked, though perfectly fits the platform of 18th century classical writing.

Symphony number nine was Beethoven's last symphonic work. It was completed in 1824 when Beethoven was completely deaf. It is known as "The Symphony of Joy." When Beethoven conducted the premier of this piece, he must have lost his way as he was still conducting the piece when it ended. The soprano soloist had to turn him around so he could accept the applause.

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