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My Favorite Symphonies (kyjo)

4K views 72 replies 11 participants last post by  Hiawatha 
#1 ·
kyjo has the first game in this series and picked his favorite 20 symphonies for our listening and voting enjoyment. When all voting is complete, I'll announce the top ten symphonies.

Rules of Engagement:

1. You may vote once daily - voting sessions must be at least 6 hours apart.

2. When you vote, you will have 10 points to distribute as you wish except that no symphony may receive more than 5 points.

3. The game ends with the first work to reach 100 points.

Note: None of the games in this series will include a half-time adjustment. I've decided not to eliminate any favorite works of participants.

The Bell Rings:

Alfvén: Symphony no. 3 in E major - 0
Arnold: Symphony no. 5 - 0
Atterberg: Symphony no. 3 in D major "West Coast Pictures" - 0
Barber: Symphony no. 1 in One Movement - 0
Braga Santos: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 0

Brahms: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 3 (+3)
Bruckner: Symphony no. 9 in D minor - 2 (+2)
Damase: Symphonie - 0
Dvořák: Symphony no. 8 in G major - 0
Elgar: Symphony no. 1 in A flat major - 0

Hanson: Symphony no. 2 in D-flat major "Romantic" - 0
Korngold: Symphony in F-sharp - 0
Lloyd: Symphony no. 4 in B major "Arctic" - 0
Martinů: Symphony no. 1 - 0
Nielsen: Symphony no. 5 - 0

Peterson-Berger: Symphony no. 3 in F minor "Same Ätnam" - 0
Rachmaninoff: Symphony no. 2 in E minor - 0
Saint-Saëns: Symphony no. 3 in C minor "Organ" - 3 (+3)
Sibelius: Symphony no. 2 in D major - 0
Vaughan Williams: Symphony no. 2 "A London Symphony" - 2 (+2)
 
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#52 · (Edited)
Alfvén: Symphony no. 3 in E major - 2
Arnold: Symphony no. 5 - 2
Atterberg: Symphony no. 3 in D major "West Coast Pictures" - 7
Barber: Symphony no. 1 in One Movement - 2
Braga Santos: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 25 (+3)

Brahms: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 74
Bruckner: Symphony no. 9 in D minor - 68
Damase: Symphonie - 19 (+4)
Dvořák: Symphony no. 8 in G major - 52
Elgar: Symphony no. 1 in A-flat major - 2

Hanson: Symphony no. 2 in D-flat major "Romantic" - 17 (+2)
Korngold: Symphony in F-sharp - 8
Lloyd: Symphony no. 4 in B major "Arctic" - 9
Martinů: Symphony no. 1 - 1
Nielsen: Symphony no. 5 - 17

Peterson-Berger: Symphony no. 3 in F minor "Same Ätnam" - 8
Rachmaninoff: Symphony no. 2 in E minor - 3
Saint-Saëns: Symphony no. 3 in C minor "Organ" - 66
Sibelius: Symphony no. 2 in D major - 67
Vaughan Williams: Symphony no. 2 "A London Symphony" - 61 (+5)
 
#53 ·
Alfvén: Symphony no. 3 in E major - 2
Arnold: Symphony no. 5 - 2
Atterberg: Symphony no. 3 in D major "West Coast Pictures" - 7
Barber: Symphony no. 1 in One Movement - 2
Braga Santos: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 25

Brahms: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 74
Bruckner: Symphony no. 9 in D minor - 73 (+5)
Damase: Symphonie - 19
Dvořák: Symphony no. 8 in G major - 52
Elgar: Symphony no. 1 in A-flat major - 2

Hanson: Symphony no. 2 in D-flat major "Romantic" - 17
Korngold: Symphony in F-sharp - 8
Lloyd: Symphony no. 4 in B major "Arctic" - 9
Martinů: Symphony no. 1 - 1
Nielsen: Symphony no. 5 - 17

Peterson-Berger: Symphony no. 3 in F minor "Same Ätnam" - 8
Rachmaninoff: Symphony no. 2 in E minor - 3
Saint-Saëns: Symphony no. 3 in C minor "Organ" - 71 (+5)
Sibelius: Symphony no. 2 in D major - 67
Vaughan Williams: Symphony no. 2 "A London Symphony" - 61
 
#54 ·
Alfvén: Symphony no. 3 in E major - 2
Arnold: Symphony no. 5 - 2
Atterberg: Symphony no. 3 in D major "West Coast Pictures" - 7
Barber: Symphony no. 1 in One Movement - 2
Braga Santos: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 25

Brahms: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 74
Bruckner: Symphony no. 9 in D minor - 73
Damase: Symphonie - 19
Dvořák: Symphony no. 8 in G major - 52
Elgar: Symphony no. 1 in A-flat major - 2

Hanson: Symphony no. 2 in D-flat major "Romantic" - 17
Korngold: Symphony in F-sharp - 8
Lloyd: Symphony no. 4 in B major "Arctic" - 9
Martinů: Symphony no. 1 - 1
Nielsen: Symphony no. 5 - 17

Peterson-Berger: Symphony no. 3 in F minor "Same Ätnam" - 8
Rachmaninoff: Symphony no. 2 in E minor - 3
Saint-Saëns: Symphony no. 3 in C minor "Organ" - 76 (+5)
Sibelius: Symphony no. 2 in D major - 67
Vaughan Williams: Symphony no. 2 "A London Symphony" - 66 (+5)
 
#55 ·
Alfvén: Symphony no. 3 in E major - 2
Arnold: Symphony no. 5 - 4 (+2)
Atterberg: Symphony no. 3 in D major "West Coast Pictures" - 7
Barber: Symphony no. 1 in One Movement - 2
Braga Santos: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 25

Brahms: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 74
Bruckner: Symphony no. 9 in D minor - 73
Damase: Symphonie - 19
Dvořák: Symphony no. 8 in G major - 52
Elgar: Symphony no. 1 in A-flat major - 2

Hanson: Symphony no. 2 in D-flat major "Romantic" - 17
Korngold: Symphony in F-sharp - 8
Lloyd: Symphony no. 4 in B major "Arctic" - 9
Martinů: Symphony no. 1 - 1
Nielsen: Symphony no. 5 - 19 (+2)

Peterson-Berger: Symphony no. 3 in F minor "Same Ätnam" - 9 (+1)
Rachmaninoff: Symphony no. 2 in E minor - 3
Saint-Saëns: Symphony no. 3 in C minor "Organ" - 76
Sibelius: Symphony no. 2 in D major - 72 (+5)
Vaughan Williams: Symphony no. 2 "A London Symphony" - 66
 
#56 ·
Alfvén: Symphony no. 3 in E major - 2
Arnold: Symphony no. 5 - 4
Atterberg: Symphony no. 3 in D major "West Coast Pictures" - 7
Barber: Symphony no. 1 in One Movement - 2
Braga Santos: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 25

Brahms: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 79 (+5)
Bruckner: Symphony no. 9 in D minor - 73
Damase: Symphonie - 19
Dvořák: Symphony no. 8 in G major - 57 (+5)
Elgar: Symphony no. 1 in A-flat major - 2

Hanson: Symphony no. 2 in D-flat major "Romantic" - 17
Korngold: Symphony in F-sharp - 8
Lloyd: Symphony no. 4 in B major "Arctic" - 9
Martinů: Symphony no. 1 - 1
Nielsen: Symphony no. 5 - 19

Peterson-Berger: Symphony no. 3 in F minor "Same Ätnam" - 9
Rachmaninoff: Symphony no. 2 in E minor - 3
Saint-Saëns: Symphony no. 3 in C minor "Organ" - 76
Sibelius: Symphony no. 2 in D major - 72
Vaughan Williams: Symphony no. 2 "A London Symphony" - 66
 
#57 ·
Alfvén: Symphony no. 3 in E major - 2
Arnold: Symphony no. 5 - 4
Atterberg: Symphony no. 3 in D major "West Coast Pictures" - 7
Barber: Symphony no. 1 in One Movement - 2
Braga Santos: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 25

Brahms: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 84 (+5)
Bruckner: Symphony no. 9 in D minor - 73
Damase: Symphonie - 19
Dvořák: Symphony no. 8 in G major - 57
Elgar: Symphony no. 1 in A-flat major - 2

Hanson: Symphony no. 2 in D-flat major "Romantic" - 17
Korngold: Symphony in F-sharp - 8
Lloyd: Symphony no. 4 in B major "Arctic" - 9
Martinů: Symphony no. 1 - 1
Nielsen: Symphony no. 5 - 19

Peterson-Berger: Symphony no. 3 in F minor "Same Ätnam" - 14 (+5)
Rachmaninoff: Symphony no. 2 in E minor - 3
Saint-Saëns: Symphony no. 3 in C minor "Organ" - 76
Sibelius: Symphony no. 2 in D major - 72
Vaughan Williams: Symphony no. 2 "A London Symphony" - 66
 
#58 ·
Alfvén: Symphony no. 3 in E major - 2
Arnold: Symphony no. 5 - 4
Atterberg: Symphony no. 3 in D major "West Coast Pictures" - 7
Barber: Symphony no. 1 in One Movement - 2
Braga Santos: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 25

Brahms: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 84
Bruckner: Symphony no. 9 in D minor - 78 (+5)
Damase: Symphonie - 19
Dvořák: Symphony no. 8 in G major - 57
Elgar: Symphony no. 1 in A-flat major - 2

Hanson: Symphony no. 2 in D-flat major "Romantic" - 17
Korngold: Symphony in F-sharp - 8
Lloyd: Symphony no. 4 in B major "Arctic" - 9
Martinů: Symphony no. 1 - 1
Nielsen: Symphony no. 5 - 19

Peterson-Berger: Symphony no. 3 in F minor "Same Ätnam" - 14
Rachmaninoff: Symphony no. 2 in E minor - 3
Saint-Saëns: Symphony no. 3 in C minor "Organ" - 76
Sibelius: Symphony no. 2 in D major - 77 (+5)
Vaughan Williams: Symphony no. 2 "A London Symphony" - 66
 
#59 ·
Alfvén: Symphony no. 3 in E major - 2
Arnold: Symphony no. 5 - 4
Atterberg: Symphony no. 3 in D major "West Coast Pictures" - 7
Barber: Symphony no. 1 in One Movement - 2
Braga Santos: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 25

Brahms: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 84
Bruckner: Symphony no. 9 in D minor - 78
Damase: Symphonie - 19
Dvořák: Symphony no. 8 in G major - 57
Elgar: Symphony no. 1 in A-flat major - 2

Hanson: Symphony no. 2 in D-flat major "Romantic" - 22 (+5)
Korngold: Symphony in F-sharp - 8
Lloyd: Symphony no. 4 in B major "Arctic" - 9
Martinů: Symphony no. 1 - 1
Nielsen: Symphony no. 5 - 19

Peterson-Berger: Symphony no. 3 in F minor "Same Ätnam" - 14
Rachmaninoff: Symphony no. 2 in E minor - 3
Saint-Saëns: Symphony no. 3 in C minor "Organ" - 76
Sibelius: Symphony no. 2 in D major - 77
Vaughan Williams: Symphony no. 2 "A London Symphony" - 71 (+5)
 
#60 ·
Alfvén: Symphony no. 3 in E major - 2
Arnold: Symphony no. 5 - 4
Atterberg: Symphony no. 3 in D major "West Coast Pictures" - 7
Barber: Symphony no. 1 in One Movement - 2
Braga Santos: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 28 (+3)

Brahms: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 84
Bruckner: Symphony no. 9 in D minor - 78
Damase: Symphonie - 23 (+4)
Dvořák: Symphony no. 8 in G major - 57
Elgar: Symphony no. 1 in A-flat major - 2

Hanson: Symphony no. 2 in D-flat major "Romantic" - 22
Korngold: Symphony in F-sharp - 8
Lloyd: Symphony no. 4 in B major "Arctic" - 9
Martinů: Symphony no. 1 - 1
Nielsen: Symphony no. 5 - 19

Peterson-Berger: Symphony no. 3 in F minor "Same Ätnam" - 17 (+3)
Rachmaninoff: Symphony no. 2 in E minor - 3
Saint-Saëns: Symphony no. 3 in C minor "Organ" - 76
Sibelius: Symphony no. 2 in D major - 77
Vaughan Williams: Symphony no. 2 "A London Symphony" - 71
 
#61 ·
Alfvén: Symphony no. 3 in E major - 2
Arnold: Symphony no. 5 - 4
Atterberg: Symphony no. 3 in D major "West Coast Pictures" - 7
Barber: Symphony no. 1 in One Movement - 2
Braga Santos: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 28

Brahms: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 84
Bruckner: Symphony no. 9 in D minor - 83 (+5)
Damase: Symphonie - 23
Dvořák: Symphony no. 8 in G major - 57
Elgar: Symphony no. 1 in A-flat major - 2

Hanson: Symphony no. 2 in D-flat major "Romantic" - 22
Korngold: Symphony in F-sharp - 8
Lloyd: Symphony no. 4 in B major "Arctic" - 9
Martinů: Symphony no. 1 - 1
Nielsen: Symphony no. 5 - 19

Peterson-Berger: Symphony no. 3 in F minor "Same Ätnam" - 17
Rachmaninoff: Symphony no. 2 in E minor - 3
Saint-Saëns: Symphony no. 3 in C minor "Organ" - 81 (+5)
Sibelius: Symphony no. 2 in D major - 77
Vaughan Williams: Symphony no. 2 "A London Symphony" - 71
 
#62 ·
Alfvén: Symphony no. 3 in E major - 2
Arnold: Symphony no. 5 - 4
Atterberg: Symphony no. 3 in D major "West Coast Pictures" - 7
Barber: Symphony no. 1 in One Movement - 2
Braga Santos: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 28

Brahms: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 89 (+5)
Bruckner: Symphony no. 9 in D minor - 83
Damase: Symphonie - 23
Dvořák: Symphony no. 8 in G major - 57
Elgar: Symphony no. 1 in A-flat major - 2

Hanson: Symphony no. 2 in D-flat major "Romantic" - 22
Korngold: Symphony in F-sharp - 8
Lloyd: Symphony no. 4 in B major "Arctic" - 9
Martinů: Symphony no. 1 - 1
Nielsen: Symphony no. 5 - 19

Peterson-Berger: Symphony no. 3 in F minor "Same Ätnam" - 17
Rachmaninoff: Symphony no. 2 in E minor - 3
Saint-Saëns: Symphony no. 3 in C minor "Organ" - 86 (+5)
Sibelius: Symphony no. 2 in D major - 77
Vaughan Williams: Symphony no. 2 "A London Symphony" - 71
 
#63 ·
Alfvén: Symphony no. 3 in E major - 2
Arnold: Symphony no. 5 - 5 (+1)
Atterberg: Symphony no. 3 in D major "West Coast Pictures" - 7
Barber: Symphony no. 1 in One Movement - 2
Braga Santos: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 28

Brahms: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 89
Bruckner: Symphony no. 9 in D minor - 83
Damase: Symphonie - 23
Dvořák: Symphony no. 8 in G major - 57
Elgar: Symphony no. 1 in A-flat major - 2

Hanson: Symphony no. 2 in D-flat major "Romantic" - 23 (+1)
Korngold: Symphony in F-sharp - 8
Lloyd: Symphony no. 4 in B major "Arctic" - 9
Martinů: Symphony no. 1 - 1
Nielsen: Symphony no. 5 - 23 (+4)

Peterson-Berger: Symphony no. 3 in F minor "Same Ätnam" - 17
Rachmaninoff: Symphony no. 2 in E minor - 3
Saint-Saëns: Symphony no. 3 in C minor "Organ" - 86
Sibelius: Symphony no. 2 in D major - 81 (+4)
Vaughan Williams: Symphony no. 2 "A London Symphony" - 71
 
#64 ·
Alfvén: Symphony no. 3 in E major - 2
Arnold: Symphony no. 5 - 5
Atterberg: Symphony no. 3 in D major "West Coast Pictures" - 7
Barber: Symphony no. 1 in One Movement - 2
Braga Santos: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 28

Brahms: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 89
Bruckner: Symphony no. 9 in D minor - 88 (+5)
Damase: Symphonie - 23
Dvořák: Symphony no. 8 in G major - 57
Elgar: Symphony no. 1 in A-flat major - 2

Hanson: Symphony no. 2 in D-flat major "Romantic" - 23
Korngold: Symphony in F-sharp - 8
Lloyd: Symphony no. 4 in B major "Arctic" - 9
Martinů: Symphony no. 1 - 1
Nielsen: Symphony no. 5 - 23

Peterson-Berger: Symphony no. 3 in F minor "Same Ätnam" - 17
Rachmaninoff: Symphony no. 2 in E minor - 3
Saint-Saëns: Symphony no. 3 in C minor "Organ" - 86
Sibelius: Symphony no. 2 in D major - 86 (+5)
Vaughan Williams: Symphony no. 2 "A London Symphony" - 71
 
#65 ·
Alfvén: Symphony no. 3 in E major - 2
Arnold: Symphony no. 5 - 5
Atterberg: Symphony no. 3 in D major "West Coast Pictures" - 7
Barber: Symphony no. 1 in One Movement - 2
Braga Santos: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 31 (+3)

Brahms: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 89
Bruckner: Symphony no. 9 in D minor - 88
Damase: Symphonie - 27 (+4)
Dvořák: Symphony no. 8 in G major - 57
Elgar: Symphony no. 1 in A-flat major - 2

Hanson: Symphony no. 2 in D-flat major "Romantic" - 26 (+3)
Korngold: Symphony in F-sharp - 8
Lloyd: Symphony no. 4 in B major "Arctic" - 9
Martinů: Symphony no. 1 - 1
Nielsen: Symphony no. 5 - 23

Peterson-Berger: Symphony no. 3 in F minor "Same Ätnam" - 17
Rachmaninoff: Symphony no. 2 in E minor - 3
Saint-Saëns: Symphony no. 3 in C minor "Organ" - 86
Sibelius: Symphony no. 2 in D major - 86
Vaughan Williams: Symphony no. 2 "A London Symphony" - 71
 
#66 ·
Alfvén: Symphony no. 3 in E major - 2
Arnold: Symphony no. 5 - 5
Atterberg: Symphony no. 3 in D major "West Coast Pictures" - 7
Barber: Symphony no. 1 in One Movement - 2
Braga Santos: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 31

Brahms: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 94 (+5)
Bruckner: Symphony no. 9 in D minor - 88
Damase: Symphonie - 27
Dvořák: Symphony no. 8 in G major - 57
Elgar: Symphony no. 1 in A-flat major - 2

Hanson: Symphony no. 2 in D-flat major "Romantic" - 26
Korngold: Symphony in F-sharp - 8
Lloyd: Symphony no. 4 in B major "Arctic" - 9
Martinů: Symphony no. 1 - 1
Nielsen: Symphony no. 5 - 23

Peterson-Berger: Symphony no. 3 in F minor "Same Ätnam" - 22 (+5)
Rachmaninoff: Symphony no. 2 in E minor - 3
Saint-Saëns: Symphony no. 3 in C minor "Organ" - 86
Sibelius: Symphony no. 2 in D major - 86
Vaughan Williams: Symphony no. 2 "A London Symphony" - 71
 
#67 ·
Alfvén: Symphony no. 3 in E major - 2
Arnold: Symphony no. 5 - 5
Atterberg: Symphony no. 3 in D major "West Coast Pictures" - 7
Barber: Symphony no. 1 in One Movement - 2
Braga Santos: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 31

Brahms: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 99 (+5)
Bruckner: Symphony no. 9 in D minor - 88
Damase: Symphonie - 27
Dvořák: Symphony no. 8 in G major - 62 (+5)
Elgar: Symphony no. 1 in A-flat major - 2

Hanson: Symphony no. 2 in D-flat major "Romantic" - 26
Korngold: Symphony in F-sharp - 8
Lloyd: Symphony no. 4 in B major "Arctic" - 9
Martinů: Symphony no. 1 - 1
Nielsen: Symphony no. 5 - 23

Peterson-Berger: Symphony no. 3 in F minor "Same Ätnam" - 22
Rachmaninoff: Symphony no. 2 in E minor - 3
Saint-Saëns: Symphony no. 3 in C minor "Organ" - 86
Sibelius: Symphony no. 2 in D major - 86
Vaughan Williams: Symphony no. 2 "A London Symphony" - 71
 
#68 ·
Alfvén: Symphony no. 3 in E major - 2
Arnold: Symphony no. 5 - 5
Atterberg: Symphony no. 3 in D major "West Coast Pictures" - 7
Barber: Symphony no. 1 in One Movement - 2
Braga Santos: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 36 (+5)

Brahms: Symphony no. 4 in E minor - 100 (+1)
Bruckner: Symphony no. 9 in D minor - 88
Damase: Symphonie - 27
Dvořák: Symphony no. 8 in G major - 62
Elgar: Symphony no. 1 in A-flat major - 2

Hanson: Symphony no. 2 in D-flat major "Romantic" - 26
Korngold: Symphony in F-sharp - 8
Lloyd: Symphony no. 4 in B major "Arctic" - 9
Martinů: Symphony no. 1 - 1
Nielsen: Symphony no. 5 - 23

Peterson-Berger: Symphony no. 3 in F minor "Same Ätnam" - 22
Rachmaninoff: Symphony no. 2 in E minor - 3
Saint-Saëns: Symphony no. 3 in C minor "Organ" - 90 (+4)
Sibelius: Symphony no. 2 in D major - 86
Vaughan Williams: Symphony no. 2 "A London Symphony" - 71
 
#69 ·
Here's kyjo's Top Ten Symphonies:

1. Brahms: Symphony no. 4 in E minor
2. Saint-Saëns: Symphony no. 3 in C minor "Organ"
3. Bruckner: Symphony no. 9 in D minor
4. Sibelius: Symphony no. 2 in D major
5. Vaughan Williams: Symphony no. 2 "A London Symphony"
6. Dvořák: Symphony no. 8 in G major

7. Braga Santos: Symphony no. 4 in E minor
8. Damase: Symphonie
9. Hanson: Symphony no. 2 in D-flat major "Romantic"
10. Nielsen: Symphony no. 5

What does kyjo think of all this?
 
#70 · (Edited)
What does kyjo think of all this?
Well, unsurprisingly, I was hoping for some of the lesser-known works to do better (the main reason Braga Santos and Damase made it was due to my repeated voting). But I shan't complain - thank you all for playing! I originally thought of doing "my top 20 lesser-known symphonies" but I wanted to emphasize the fact that I consider some of these lesser-known works to be very much the equal of their more famous counterparts by doing a general top 20 list, instead of relegating them to their own category.
 
#72 ·
You might like some feedback. Damase is fairly new to me. I would have very happily given more points to Braga Santos and also Hanson - I did give them a fair few but not masses - if it hadn't have been for the fact that RVW2 is my favourite symphony by anyone. This was also the reason why the Sibelius probably didn't get anything from me when ordinarily it would do. Ditto the Brahms and the Dvorak and the Rachmaninoff and on it goes. Too many were were doing too well for my liking in the scoring!!!!

I did make a point of listening to a couple of things to re-familiarize or for learning - the Atterburg, which I rather like, and the Peterson-Berger and, yes, the Damase so that was an enjoyable prompt from you.
Thanks for the feedback! Glad you enjoyed discovering and re-discovering works on my list. :)
 
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