Oh, I apoligise for making this poll. It duplicates some old one. So foolish of me...

 

I presume the old thread's not active, in which case it's OK to make a new one.

 

Oh, well, good.

BTW, Shostakovich' list -according to a Polish composer and biographer Krzysztof Meyer was:
4th
1st
2nd
and the weakest - 3rd

I was very suprised that Shostakovich thought that the 3rd was the weakest, though he did not explain it.

 

The 4th symphony moves me like no other. Plus, the last mvmt. has one of the greatest flute solos ever written, which I love for its lyricism and sincerity more than any other virtuosic/showpiece orchestral excerpt out there.

 

The last movement of the 1st is one of my five favorite movements of music, but the 4th symphony is my favorite all round brahms symphony

 

Definitely I pick number four. But I have listened to all of Brahms's symphonies so many times that I feel I need a rest. The only one I would listen to again will be the third symphony, particularly for the first and fourth movements.

 

For me it's the 3rd Symphony, I've listened to it an unhealthy amount of times. The 1st and 4th are close though, mostly because of their opening and final movements.

 

I'd pick the Third one as well, but just because the Fourth has one of the worst third movements I've heard in a Symphony so far.

 

...because the Fourth has one of the worst third movements I've heard in a Symphony so far.

I just see it as a fairly standard scherzo thing. What's wrong with that? Why do you think it's "the worst?" Do you think it's banal or tacky? I think I've read your thoughts on this elsewhere here recently. Forgive me but I forget now...

 

I love all four almost equally - I picked the 4th as it does come out somewhat ahead for me. For a long time though my favourite was actually his 1st.

 

Brahms' fourth symphony is my favourite. I think I like the slow movement the most, the horns make me think of the colour gold and the rhythm is like a gentle stroll in the park or something. I like the intimacy of this piece.

I don't know the third that well, don't remember it, but I do like the other two, the first & second. Then there's Schoenberg's orchestration of Brahms' Piano Quartet #1, called by some to be "Brahms' fifth."

But I rarely listen to Brahms symphonies now, I like his chamber things more, also the concertos & overtures...

 

I just see it as a fairly standard scherzo thing. What's wrong with that? Why do you think it's "the worst?" Do you think it's banal or tacky? I think I've read your thoughts on this elsewhere here recently. Forgive me but I forget now...

Apologies if my post seemed quite "aggressive", I sometimes post with a rather unsound mind.
I'll just quote what I wrote about it in the Current Listening thread:
"... It comes after 2 contemplative and elegant movements, it entirely disrupts the calm, maybe even tragic mood that's been set from the beginning. It seems to be totally out of place, and in this context it becomes childish and obnoxious (when if it was a part of a different symphony or stand alone piece I probably would like it)..."
Like you I love the slow (second) movement the best, especially because of what you mentioned - its intimacy. The Third seems out of place.

 

^^Interesting what you say, I never thought of it like that. I remember reading your quote before now on current listening. I suppose it does have different vibe from the other movements. But I suppose he was hidebound by convention. They virtually had to put a scherzo in those days. People on this forum have said similar things of Bruckner's scherzos, that they're the weakest links in his symphonies, and formulaic, etc. I can see the point but I like a bit of a dance amongst all the profundity, but that's just me...

 

While I love the 3rd and the 4th I also like the 2nd very much. To be honest, I am not so sure about the First.

***
And his Quintet op.111 is now one of my favourite works by Brahms. And his Clarinet Q. op.115. Have not heard the First Quintet op.88 yet.

 

I listen to the 2nd quite a bit, but I think the 1st and 4th are my favorites, with the 2nd not far behind.

 

For a long time I preferred the 3rd (after adjusting to where he went with the melodies), but the 4th slowly gained stature. I listen to the last three every few years. (Over familiarity poisons my appreciation.)

 

I find it hilarious that grand symphonic composers like Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler, Bruckner, etc. still felt the need to include dance movements, a convention beginning in the mid-18th century Mannheim orchestra where the audience was not expected to pay much attention to the music. It was fashionable for the time, but it feels out of place in mid to late 19th century works.

My favorite is the 4th, the 2nd a close second. The 4th I think is the easiest symphony to follow for the listener, due to the simplicity and clarity of the first theme, as well as the simple passacaglia form of the finale.

 

I find it hilarious that grand symphonic composers like Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler, Bruckner, etc. still felt the need to include dance movements, a convention beginning in the mid-18th century Mannheim orchestra where the audience was not expected to pay much attention to the music. It was fashionable for the time, but it feels out of place in mid to late 19th century works.

They retain the overall form of a four-movement symphony by including dance movements, but the characters are far removed. Just to take Brahms: 4.3 is the heftiest 'dance' I've ever heard (you'd break both legs trying to give that dance justice), and 3.3 (as well as 3.2) has been adequately compared in character to his klavierstucke as a kind of lyrical, orchestral miniature, rather than just a traditional dance movement.

 

I like the 4th.......its got a nice beat and you can dance to it.

 

The third is a personal staple when listening to symphonies. I especially enjoy the third movement. It seems to be hiding something and every time I listen to it I hear something new.

 

I don't know any of the Brahms symphonies. Where should I start?

 

It depends on what you'd like. Bombast? Triumphal joviality? Playful fun? Sweet lyricism? Tender melancholy? Fierce sadness? There's a movement for every flavour!

 

I clicked on the 3rd, but I love the 4th as well ... I recommend Eugen Jochum recording for all four ...

 

Voted for the 1st - that's tragic heroism at its best. Love the 3rd as well, and 4th is also nice... too bad I don't get the 2nd at all.

 

I wanted to create this poll!

I think 2nd is overrated. I listened to it 4 times and it is not that great.
In order:
3rd > 4th > 1st > 2nd

 

Aural Orgasm

 

As of now, it's No. 1, but recently I've grown to like No. 4.

 

I've always favoured No. 1 mainly for that great opening but the rest is pretty good too!