Greatest symphonies of all time

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donatello
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Here is my collection of the top symphonies of all time.

List Summary
25 Works 12 Composers 1 Genre
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6 Responses
goodmang46
Apr 13, 2020

1. Sibelius #2 is far superior to #5; #5 should not even make the list

2. Major omissions are Schubert #5, Mendelssohn #3 & #4, and Sibelius #2

amateurclassico
Apr 2, 2021

Agree that the greatest symphonic composers are Beethoven & Mahler - tho I'm not so sure about the order of their symphonies in your list.  Mahler 9 MUST be right up there with Beethoven 3 (his best) & 9.  Sure, no.2 is next, but what about no.6 (far better than #5 to me) - & no.4 was my magical introduction to Mahler!  And surely Haydn makes up a  triumvirate of supreme symphonists, tho admittedly it can be a little hard to differentiate among his output: I'd be looking at nos. 49, 93, 102 & 104, I think.

But hey - you don't even mention Schubert's 'Unfinished'!!  You can't be serious!

amateurclassico
Apr 2, 2021

You also totally overlook Tchaikowsky, surely one of the most <u>popular</u> composers of all - and for good reason!  His 5th symphony (better than the very indulgent 6th) is outstanding - would make the top 5 on my list.

I like Sibelius 5 - but think maybe both nos.2 & 4 could be ahead of it.

As for Mozart, why does everyone seem to ignore no.39 - which to me is the pick of the bunch?    And Mendelssohn - to me the Scottish (#3) is much better than the Italian (#4); does anyone else agree?

And hey, Franck would also have to have a pretty good claim...

amateurclassico
Apr 2, 2021

You also totally overlook Tchaikowsky, surely one of the most <u>popular</u> composers of all - and for good reason!  His 5th symphony (better than the very indulgent 6th) is outstanding - would make the top 5 on my list.

I like Sibelius 5 - but think maybe both nos.2 & 4 could be ahead of it.

As for Mozart, why does everyone seem to ignore no.39 - which to me is the pick of the bunch?    And Mendelssohn - to me the Scottish (#3) is much better than the Italian (#4); does anyone else agree?

And hey, Franck would also have to have a pretty good claim...

butterflyangel
Sep 18, 2021

@amateurclassico AGREE!

I am new here, do you have a list?

siamakanbarani
Aug 22, 2024

@amateurclassico

to me , you have a very good taste, Mahler is the greatest symphonist after Beethoven and  for me Bruckner is after Mahler

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