My top 10 Essential Symphonic Works
Here are 5 out my top 10 essential symphonic pieces. All of these great works of music have had profound influence on my life, and they are all a witness to the possibility and the realness of the beauty that God has invited the world to participate in.
Tchaikovsky, 4th Symphony- The first "classical" piece of music that ever grabbed my full attention. After hearing the piece for the first time in an open-to-the-public Houston Symphony rehearsal, I acquired every Tchaikovksy piece I could get my hands on. The 4th Symphony is still my favorite of the great Russian composer. The massive trumpet theme throughout, the overflowing graciousness and endearment of the second movement, the novelty and lightness of the pizzicato ostinato in the third movement, the volatile and explosive finale interlaced with the flowing and expressive motifs; all of this helped clear away any repellent to symphonic music that I had developed over the years, and I have not looked back since.
Shostakovich, 10th Symphony- It was the music of 19th and 20th century Russians that I was drawn to initially. Along with Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, and Rachmaninoff- Shostakovich's music is dark, deep, and full of struggle. The slow and painful procession of the lower strings that begin the 10th Symphony, and the tragic and profoundly painful passages of lament, dance, anger, and irony throughout create a wonderfully tragic and circumspect musical journey. This is Russian music. Epic, tragic, and dark. Listening to this piece is like sitting by a warm fire in the middle of a cold house in a Russian winter.
Beethoven, 5th Symphony- Though this is possibly the most cliche example I could have come up with, the 5th Symphony is truly a masterpiece, a tour de force of epic theme and variation, existential confession, and sublime gracefulness. Listening to the whole piece is essential. The angry and fateful statement of the first movement is embraced and made beautiful by the second movement's rich and regal dance procession. The third movement bids the listener to continue moving towards the knock of fate that rings from the first notes of the piece, and the finale gloriously consummates that fate with a love supreme that rings out in majestic triumph. Truly remarkable. God forgive us for exploiting such brilliance.
Debussy, La Mer- Debussy forged a whole new sound with his orchestration. Bruckner's orchestration has been compared to the sound of an organ; Debussy's is typically compared with a harp. 'La mer', or 'the sea', is envisioned in a subtle and rich sound that consists of absolutely beautiful and brilliant musical evocations of the ocean in all of its subtlety, complexity, and power. One can hear in gorgeous detail the seamless gliding and sweeping of the sea gull hovering the flowing waves, the roaring power of the tempest, and the sheer peacefulness of the calm ocean at dawn. It is a magnificent sound that is almost totally particular to Debussy. I can think of very few pieces of music that so greatly depict the beauty of nature. Subtly and in great nuance, La Mer is a witness to the beauty and depth of God's creation.
Saint-Saens, 3rd Symphony (The Organ Symphony)- The organ is one of my favorite instruments. I am always awe struck and amazed when I hear a really great organ. The sheer force and power of that much air moving around to create such a sound can be almost fear-inducing. Saint-Saens uses the full spectrum of the organ in this great symphony. From thick walls of sound to delicate and frail clouds of chords, the listener is taken on a wonderful journey of action, dreaminess, and triumph. The piece evokes a similar mood to Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet with intense moments that seem like sword fighting sequences to absolutely gorgeous moments of romantic love overflowing into sheer bliss. The combination of organ, orchestra, and piano in the last movement is a moment of utter triumph. The power of the organ opens up in full force while the piano rains down descending and cascading lines that shatter like glass as the orchestra moves into it final statement of triumph. Brilliant and powerful.
Tchaikovsky, 4th Symphony- The first "classical" piece of music that ever grabbed my full attention. After hearing the piece for the first time in an open-to-the-public Houston Symphony rehearsal, I acquired every Tchaikovksy piece I could get my hands on. The 4th Symphony is still my favorite of the great Russian composer. The massive trumpet theme throughout, the overflowing graciousness and endearment of the second movement, the novelty and lightness of the pizzicato ostinato in the third movement, the volatile and explosive finale interlaced with the flowing and expressive motifs; all of this helped clear away any repellent to symphonic music that I had developed over the years, and I have not looked back since.
Shostakovich, 10th Symphony- It was the music of 19th and 20th century Russians that I was drawn to initially. Along with Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, and Rachmaninoff- Shostakovich's music is dark, deep, and full of struggle. The slow and painful procession of the lower strings that begin the 10th Symphony, and the tragic and profoundly painful passages of lament, dance, anger, and irony throughout create a wonderfully tragic and circumspect musical journey. This is Russian music. Epic, tragic, and dark. Listening to this piece is like sitting by a warm fire in the middle of a cold house in a Russian winter.
Beethoven, 5th Symphony- Though this is possibly the most cliche example I could have come up with, the 5th Symphony is truly a masterpiece, a tour de force of epic theme and variation, existential confession, and sublime gracefulness. Listening to the whole piece is essential. The angry and fateful statement of the first movement is embraced and made beautiful by the second movement's rich and regal dance procession. The third movement bids the listener to continue moving towards the knock of fate that rings from the first notes of the piece, and the finale gloriously consummates that fate with a love supreme that rings out in majestic triumph. Truly remarkable. God forgive us for exploiting such brilliance.
Debussy, La Mer- Debussy forged a whole new sound with his orchestration. Bruckner's orchestration has been compared to the sound of an organ; Debussy's is typically compared with a harp. 'La mer', or 'the sea', is envisioned in a subtle and rich sound that consists of absolutely beautiful and brilliant musical evocations of the ocean in all of its subtlety, complexity, and power. One can hear in gorgeous detail the seamless gliding and sweeping of the sea gull hovering the flowing waves, the roaring power of the tempest, and the sheer peacefulness of the calm ocean at dawn. It is a magnificent sound that is almost totally particular to Debussy. I can think of very few pieces of music that so greatly depict the beauty of nature. Subtly and in great nuance, La Mer is a witness to the beauty and depth of God's creation.
Saint-Saens, 3rd Symphony (The Organ Symphony)- The organ is one of my favorite instruments. I am always awe struck and amazed when I hear a really great organ. The sheer force and power of that much air moving around to create such a sound can be almost fear-inducing. Saint-Saens uses the full spectrum of the organ in this great symphony. From thick walls of sound to delicate and frail clouds of chords, the listener is taken on a wonderful journey of action, dreaminess, and triumph. The piece evokes a similar mood to Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet with intense moments that seem like sword fighting sequences to absolutely gorgeous moments of romantic love overflowing into sheer bliss. The combination of organ, orchestra, and piano in the last movement is a moment of utter triumph. The power of the organ opens up in full force while the piano rains down descending and cascading lines that shatter like glass as the orchestra moves into it final statement of triumph. Brilliant and powerful.
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