The Greatest Symphony Ever ?

[Robert Newman]

Yes, music is music, not science.

Since this thead is asking us to make a judgement my own judgement is required. As is yours.

A court judge may know books of the law inside out. He may know it off by heart and be able to quote it, chapter and verse. But he becomes a great judge only when he applies the law wisely, not according to the letter of the law, but according to its spirit. So a judge judges not according to his knowledge of the law, but by wisdom.

I think the same about music. Great music transcends knowledge of music as a science. Of course. It is the fusion of what we know with creative spirit, so that the result transcends science. It becomes creative art.

Here is an example - (hated by the musical dogmatists)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=0gRBCAdC7wI

 

[sunwaiter]

too bad i can't watch this u tube video right away, but i will when i'm back home. i've read some things about virgil fox and i agree that an original approach is always better than a purely mechanical execution, even if the result is not attractive to everybody.

now, dear Robert Newman, since you seem quite open-minded, i will allow myself to invite you on my page, on which you'll find some of my productions:

www.myspace.com/olivortex

 

[Robert Newman]

too bad i can't watch this u tube video right away, but i will when i'm back home. i've read some things about virgil fox and i agree that an original approach is always better than a purely mechanical execution, even if the result is not attractive to everybody.

now, dear Robert Newman, since you seem quite open-minded, i will allow myself to invite you on my page, on which you'll find some of my productions:

www.myspace.com/olivortex

Thanks for the invite sunwaiter. I will visit there soon.

//

Thanks Sunwaiter - I visited your site. Your music is very interesting. But I don't want to increase membership of different sites at this time. Thank you anyway for the invite. I look forward to chatting with you here on the forum about music.

Regards

Robert

 

[sunwaiter]

De rien, tu es le bienvenu!

You're welcome.

 

[Robert Newman]

Hi Sunwaiter,

I like the sudden shifts of moods/styles in the music of yours that I heard. They are very well done.

Best wishes

Robert

 

[Kuhlau]

It seems the best that can be achieved here is for you to share with us your own choice as to the best symphonies. As I and others have already done.

My attempt at an answer preceded yours by a few posts, Robert. See here.

FK

 

[Robert Newman]

Thank you Kuhlau,

Sibelius 2 and Vaughan Williams 5 are specially wonderful works and I rate each of your choices highly, especially the Sibelius.

 

[Kuhlau]

Thank you, Robert.

I'm particularly keen on the Vaughan Williams symphony as it appeared in my life at a time of significant change for me. I now associate it with inner events which have, I hope, made me a slightly better person than I was before these events occurred.

FK

 

[sunwaiter]

thanks for your nice comments on my music, Robert.

since i started posting on this forum i've learned so many things. right now i'm on a free music site listening to V. Williams' "lark ascending".

 

[Robert Newman]

Thank you, Robert.

I'm particularly keen on the Vaughan Williams symphony as it appeared in my life at a time of significant change for me. I now associate it with inner events which have, I hope, made me a slightly better person than I was before these events occurred.

FK

Hi there Kuhlau,

That symphony is certainly marvellous, full of depth and sincerity. You know of course that Britain has recently lost two great orchestral conductors, Vernon Hanley and just the other day Richard Hickox. I was recently listening to Vaughan Williams 5th myself with Hanley conducting. It's a tremendous work.

On Youtube is an interesting interview with Richard Hickox on Ralph Vaughan Williams -

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=jnWZcwhzhc0


Regards

Robert

 

[Kuhlau]

Terrible losses, both Handley and Hickox.

The Vaughan Williams Fifth Symphony version I rate highest, however, comes not under the batons of either of these two fine conductors, but that of the also-deceased Bryden Thomson. His Chandos recording with the London Symphony Orchestra beats by a country mile either of those made by our two most recently departed maestri.

FK

 

[Robert Newman]

Thanks Kuhlau,

Must listen to Bryden Thomson's version.