Thread: William Schuman

I'm currently getting to know William Schuman's 3rd Symphony (the DG recording conducted by Bernstein) and I must say it's a striking work, especially the opening passacaglia and the beautiful third movement. Not so sure about the second movement yet, but I'll keep trying.

Are there any Schuman admirers here and can you recommend which of his other symphonies are particularly worth investigating?

I am a great admirer of William Schuman. ALL the symphonies are worthy exploring. Some are a little tougher than others to get to know (eg No 4 requires repeated listening). The 5th Symphony (Symphony for Strings) is, in my opinion, one of the best works written for strings in the 20th century. The Violin Concerto is also worth getting to know (although it's perhaps a little overlong) and the New England Triptych is great fun.

Also try other American symphonists:

Paul Creston
David Diamond
Howard Hanson

The Naxos box set of all his symphonies is a real bargain and the performances are all top rate.

The New England Triptych is a pretty good orchestral work. I have the Naxos version, conducted by Jose Serebrier.

Originally Posted by Huilunsoittaja

The New England Triptych is a pretty good orchestral work. I have the Naxos version, conducted by Jose Serebrier.

Hah. That's the only William Schuman work I can recommend. I have it on an American Recording Society LP, performers mysterious. The ARS recorded a lot of music composed by Americans. The label introduced me to Quincy Porter, whose music I enjoy without understanding why, and to Victor Herbert's 2nd cello concerto (Greenhouse the soloist), a work that should be performed more often - though not by Yo Yo Ma.

Originally Posted by Hilltroll72

Hah. That's the only William Schuman work I can recommend. I have it on an American Recording Society LP, performers mysterious. The ARS recorded a lot of music composed by Americans. The label introduced me to Quincy Porter, whose music I enjoy without understanding why, and to Victor Herbert's 2nd cello concerto (Greenhouse the soloist), a work that should be performed more often - though not by Yo Yo Ma.

what have you heard by Porter?

I agree with the string symphony, its a very concise work as well, so great for an introduction into his music. The third symphony is interesting as well, as is The New England Triptych.

Originally Posted by violadude

what have you heard by Porter?

Right now, I can only name the viola concerto. And it fits my 'enjoy without knowing why' statement. Not a single phrase or theme that 'shivers me timbers', but it draws me in, and when it's over I stay in for awhile. That effect, for me, is similar to what sometimes happens when I listen to Fauré.

To cast a less exalted light on the subject, the subject effect also occurs sometimes with New Age music.

I must say, I have ignored Schuman because the only work of his I knew, one of his symphonies (forget which one), seemed just too strident for my tastes. However, during my student days in Boston (early 1970s) I recorded some of the Boston Symphony live stereo broadcasts on 7-1/2 ips reel-to-reel tape, and one concert included a performance of Schuman's violin concerto with Paul Zukovsky (Michael Tilson Thomas conducting). Lately I have been going through these tapes -- still good after all these years -- to convert them to CDs. When I came to the Schuman work I realized that I could develop a better appreciation for this twentieth-century composer. To my mind Schuman can't be compared with contemporaries like Hanson or Piston, whom I have long enjoyed, but creates a quite different sound that is taking me a while to get used to.

Originally Posted by Laudemont

To my mind Schuman can't be compared with contemporaries like Hanson or Piston, whom I have long enjoyed, but creates a quite different sound that is taking me a while to get used to.

I'm the other way around, I prefer Schuman to Hanson or Piston.

What are the latest thoughts on Schuman? I was obsessed with him for a while, but I have to be in just the right mood to listen to him, he's sometimes distressing to me, but he has terrific things going on at the same time.

William Schuman on I'VE GOT A SECRET.

William Schuman completed his second symphony in 1937. It was performed a couple of times, once for a radio broadcast, and then withdrawn. It hasn't been performed since.

I just discovered a recording of the radio broadcast is available on Youtube:

Originally Posted by clavichorder

What are the latest thoughts on Schuman? I was obsessed with him for a while, but I have to be in just the right mood to listen to him, he's sometimes distressing to me, but he has terrific things going on at the same time.

The two Naxos CDs I have including nos. 4&9,and 7&10 always sound great whenever I put them on. I have a Bernstein disc of 3, 5, and 8 that I don't get into as much.