Came here as part of the required hearing for a Great Course . And i discover a composer i never heard about. And i wonder why i never heard of him. This is a great symphony
You've never heard of Walter Piston? In what cave have you lived during your lifetime? Piston's books on harmony, counterpoint, etc. are the best available for those learning the basics of music theory.
This is a great symphony, with wonderful counterpoint in the first and third movements, and a grandeur in the slow movement, that are quite impressive. It's very invigorating and enjoyable, even though I noticed some distortion in the recording, due, I think, to an excessively high playback level.
Forty years ago, I played this recording so many times, it seeped into my bones. Hearing it again, this old veteran's spine feels strengthened and my skin shivers. My favorite Piston is still The Incredible Flutist. But all I had to do was hear the first six seconds of this music and I was home again. Thank you, MrWalkingbass. for this posting. Pure Americana.
This is by far, one of my favorite symphonies of Walter Piston. I know he won two Pulitzer prizes for Symphony #3 and #7, but this is the one I would have chosen over the third! But alas.............I'm just a peon among giants!
American composers as a whole are disgracefully underrated. Samuel Barber is one of the 20th Century's greatest composers, and there are many others whose music deserves to be performed and recorded much more often -- not only Walter Piston but also Aaron Copland, David Diamond, George Frederick McKay, Alan Hovhaness, George Rochberg, and even the eccentric Avram Avshalomov, among others. And, being British, I have no personal bias here. Only Barber perhaps rises to the level of Elgar, Vaughan Williams, Holst, Britten, and Tippett, but their music is very much worth listening to nonetheless.
George Crumb. Also since you're British, you might be interested in Marcus Tristan - a British composer and virtual unknown who spent most of his career working in the East. There are midi renditions of two of his symphonies on his RUclips channel, as well as electroacoustic pieces, and midi selections from his other symphonies.
Great music and much neglected American masters of symphonic writing, all an important part of the American music history - but I can see why Piston, Creston, David Diamond and others of their generation do not enjoy the same longevity and popularity as Aaron Copland today. Copland doesn't have the same "classical" sound as them, his handling of the orchestra - his sound is totally his own - in his popular works he has themes - all now famous . In his more modern works he is stringent and economical and harsh. In short - in my opinion - Copland takes a new path, whereas Piston, etc, continues the old European tradition of writing symphony music - of course with their own elements of the 20t century. And there is nothing wrong with that. It just doesn't make them stand out in the world of 2019. Copland. I my opinion is - together with Ives - the greatest composer US has produced - and still today to my knowledge the most performed and recorded "classical" US-composer in the world today.
Aaron is my long-time hero for many reasons. Aside from his music, which I love, we share our sexuality and our left-wing views. Of course, I love Piston, early Carter, Siegmeister, Randall Thompson, Herrmann and Ives. Then, of course, there is Roy Harris' Third Symphony, which is probably the greatest symphony by an American.
Erik Opland I thought so, too, but Slatkin is a big advocate of this masterpiece and the playing of the second movement is a bit better playing than I hear from Seattle. (Apologies, like the band. If it is Seattle, good on 'me"
Try listening to it several more times and you may find that you're getting more out of it. This is not like a standard 19th century symphony and Piston often uses long lines and counterpoint, especially in his slow movements, to spin out his material. But there are connections within movements that you start to hear after several listenings. And the last movement is simply terrific, clearly derived from square dance fiddling and rhythms and all based on one main theme that recurs throughout (though there is also a contrasting, slower second theme heard as well).
You might try listening my symphonies on You Tube, particularly 2, 3 and 4. See Roy Fuller: Symphony Playlist. Although I do not dislike the Piston symphonies they are not my style.
Such a great symphony. So American and New England. I can't get enough of it.
Came here as part of the required hearing for a Great Course . And i discover a composer i never heard about. And i wonder why i never heard of him. This is a great symphony
I echo your sentiments. I too am here because of the Great Course. A great symphony, indeed.
I started the same course today. Loving this!
Same. Great Courses. Never heard of this composer, but I'm enjoying this piece.
You've never heard of Walter Piston? In what cave have you lived during your lifetime? Piston's books on harmony, counterpoint, etc. are the best available for those learning the basics of music theory.
A remarkable symphony, overlooked like so many others.
This is a great symphony, with wonderful counterpoint in the first and third movements, and a grandeur in the slow movement, that are quite impressive. It's very invigorating and enjoyable, even though I noticed some distortion in the recording, due, I think, to an excessively high playback level.
Forty years ago, I played this recording so many times, it seeped into my bones. Hearing it again, this old veteran's spine feels strengthened and my skin shivers. My favorite Piston is still The Incredible Flutist. But all I had to do was hear the first six seconds of this music and I was home again. Thank you, MrWalkingbass. for this posting. Pure Americana.
You are welcome! thanks for listening and posting!
Very beautiful music for my ear.... Thanks for sharing this great Melodies
composer deserves much more recognition,I think.
A magnificent work by a great American composer.
This is by far, one of my favorite symphonies of Walter Piston. I know he won two Pulitzer prizes for Symphony #3 and #7, but this is the one I would have chosen over the third! But alas.............I'm just a peon among giants!
Pepper Williams I'm guessing Piston is Trump's favorite composer-to use your word,a "peon" amongst presidents.
This is magnificent.
American composers as a whole are disgracefully underrated. Samuel Barber is one of the 20th Century's greatest composers, and there are many others whose music deserves to be performed and recorded much more often -- not only Walter Piston but also Aaron Copland, David Diamond, George Frederick McKay, Alan Hovhaness, George Rochberg, and even the eccentric Avram Avshalomov, among others. And, being British, I have no personal bias here. Only Barber perhaps rises to the level of Elgar, Vaughan Williams, Holst, Britten, and Tippett, but their music is very much worth listening to nonetheless.
George Crumb.
Also since you're British, you might be interested in Marcus Tristan - a British composer and virtual unknown who spent most of his career working in the East. There are midi renditions of two of his symphonies on his RUclips channel, as well as electroacoustic pieces, and midi selections from his other symphonies.
Great music and much neglected American masters of symphonic writing, all an important part of the American music history - but I can see why Piston, Creston, David Diamond and others of their generation do not enjoy the same longevity and popularity as Aaron Copland today. Copland doesn't have the same "classical" sound as them, his handling of the orchestra - his sound is totally his own - in his popular works he has themes - all now famous . In his more modern works he is stringent and economical and harsh. In short - in my opinion - Copland takes a new path, whereas Piston, etc, continues the old European tradition of writing symphony music - of course with their own elements of the 20t century. And there is nothing wrong with that. It just doesn't make them stand out in the world of 2019. Copland. I my opinion is - together with Ives - the greatest composer US has produced - and still today to my knowledge the most performed and recorded "classical" US-composer in the world today.
Aaron is my long-time hero for many reasons. Aside from his music, which I love, we share our sexuality and our left-wing views. Of course, I love Piston, early Carter, Siegmeister, Randall Thompson, Herrmann and Ives. Then, of course, there is Roy Harris' Third Symphony, which is probably the greatest symphony by an American.
great
Full distorsion !!
Apologies, who is the performance?
Seattle i wana say
Erik Opland I thought so, too, but Slatkin is a big advocate of this masterpiece and the playing of the second movement is a bit better playing than I hear from Seattle. (Apologies, like the band. If it is Seattle, good on 'me"
Not sure but am guessing it's Munch + BSO. Not Seattle Sym, timing is different. Maybe Slatkin. Great symphony.
(Mvt 1 of the Munch available here).
@@rudyd8403 The information in the "show more" expansion at the top says it is Seattle/Schwarz.
Really???@@genedryer-bivins8314
Wonderful work with the exception of the banal adagio.
Yikes. I don't see the attraction of this. Call me unenlightened, but this kind of dissonance and seemingly unconnected themes doesn't move me.
Alas, you are not unenlightened. You are incapable.
Try listening to it several more times and you may find that you're getting more out of it. This is not like a standard 19th century symphony and Piston often uses long lines and counterpoint, especially in his slow movements, to spin out his material. But there are connections within movements that you start to hear after several listenings. And the last movement is simply terrific, clearly derived from square dance fiddling and rhythms and all based on one main theme that recurs throughout (though there is also a contrasting, slower second theme heard as well).
You might try listening my symphonies on You Tube, particularly 2, 3 and 4. See Roy Fuller: Symphony Playlist. Although I do not dislike the Piston symphonies they are not my style.
It's not actually very dissonant, and the themes are quite coherent. It just isn't attractive.
@@Wkkbooks I'm quite attracted to it however, but I'm attracted to all of Piston's music; it is both structurally and emotionally satisfying.
much like alan berg
from dave not cathy- seems cliched- least better than riley or boulez- tries to engage listener if it does not succeed
Oh, dear, a would be music critic, who it appears is tone-deaf.
I remember my older brother had a text book written by Walter Piston called "Counterpoint." Now I get to hear his work.
Painting by Thomas Cole? Hudson Bay school?