NEW RELEASES
Recommendations for July 2024
Symphony No. 5 - Gustav Mahler
![HMM902366](/covers/Mah5.jpg)
A carefully considered performance of Mahler’s Fifth.
Symphony No. 3 (To the 25th Anniversary of the October revolution) - Boris Lyatoshinsky
![CHAS 5233](/covers/Boris.jpg)
A performance of great intensity, easily the best recording of the work, and it includes the original last movement.
Symphonies Nos. 2 & 6 - Rued Langgaard
![6.220653](/covers/lan26.jpg)
Combines excellent performances of Langgaard’s appealing second symphony with his apocalyptic sixth symphony.
Symphonies Nos. 1 & 3 - Louise Farrenc
![999 603-2](/covers/Farrenc.jpg)
Women Symphony Composers
To celebrate International Women's Day 2019 we're featuring a selection of women symphony composers.
In lists of favourite symphonies you're unlikely to find an entry by a female composer. For example, in a 2009 survey of the 100 most popular symphonies by the Australian ABC Classic FM radio station not a single symphony is by a female composer [1].
So to set the record straight here, in alphabetical order, is our selection of the ten best symphonies by female composers, with recommended recordings:
1. Elfrida Andrée (1841-1929): Symphony in A Minor
A Swedish organist, composer, and conductor.
Sjökvist (Sterling 1016)
![1016](http://www.symphs.com/covers/Andree.jpg)
Stockholm Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Gustaf Sjökvist, 05/1995.
2. Amy Beach (1867-1944): Gaelic Symphony
America's first successful woman composer, and an accomplished pianist. After her marriage she complied with her husband's wishes to limit her piano performances to one charity recital a year. After her husband died she toured Europe as a pianist, playing her own compositions to great acclaim.
The Gaelic Symphony is one of her most famous works.
Schermerhorn (Naxos 8.559139)
![8.559139](http://www.symphs.com/covers/Gaelic.jpg)
Nashville Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Kenneth Schermerhorn.
3. Gloria Coates (b1938): Symphony No. 15
A prolific American composer who now lives in Munich, Germany. To date she has written 15 symphonies, and her 15th symphony combines tonal and atonal forms, and string glissandos that are a characteristic of many of her works.
Boder (Naxos 8.559371)
![8.559371](http://www.symphs.com/covers/Coates15.jpg)
Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Michael Boder.
4. Louise Farrenc (1804-1875): Symphony No. 3
A French composer, pianist and teacher who was acclaimed in her lifetime. She composed three symphonies; the third symphony has been likened to Brahms.
Goritzki (CPO 999 603-2)
![999 603-2](http://www.symphs.com/covers/Farrenc.jpg)
North German Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Johannes Goritzki.
Coupled with Symphony No. 1
5. Sofia Gubaidulina (b1931): Symphony in 12 Movements
A Russian composer. She wrote one symphony, the Symphony in 12 Movements.
Rozhdestvensky (Chandos 9183)
Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Gennadi Rozhdestvensky.
6. Libby Larsen (b1950): Symphony No. 5 "Solo Symphony"
Libby Larsen is an American composer associated with the Minnesota Orchestra, where in 1983 she was appointed one of their two composers-in-residence. Her fifth symphony is more of a concerto for orchestra, giving soloists a chance to shine throughout the four movements.
Alsop (Koch International 7520)
![7520](http://www.symphs.com/covers/Larsen.jpg)
Colorado Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Marin Alsop.
7. Alla Pavlova (b1952): Symphony No. 2 "For the New Millennium"
Alla Pavlova is a Russian composer, living in New York, USA.
Fedoseyev (Naxos 8.557566)
![8.557566](http://www.symphs.com/covers/ROY.jpg)
Moscow Radio Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Vladimir Fedoseyev.
Coupled with Symphony No. 4
8. Dora Pejacevic (1885-1923): Symphony in F sharp minor
A Croatian composer. Her Symphony in F sharp minor has been acclaimed as an accomplished symphony, reminiscent of Bruckner.
Rasilainen (CPO 777 418-2)
Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz, conducted by Ari Rasilainen, 2008.
9. Galina Ustvolskaya (1919-2006): Symphony No. 5
A Russian composer who was encouraged and supported by Shostakovich. She wrote five unconventional symphonies.
Liss (Megadisc Classics Megadisc)
![Megadisc](http://www.symphs.com/covers/Galina.jpg)
St. Petersburg Soloists, conducted by Dmitri Liss.
Coupled with Symphonies Nos. 2 - 4
10. Ellen Taaffe Zwilich (b1939): Symphony No. 1 "Three Movements for Orchestra"
An American composer who has written five symphonies. Symphony No. 1 was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music and is a recommended starting point for exploring her music.
Nelson (New World Records 80336)
![80336](http://www.symphs.com/covers/Zwilich.jpg)
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, conducted by John Nelson, 1984.
New World Records 80336
- ^ Classic 100 Symphony (ABC) on Wikipedia.
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TOP RECORDING
The most requested recording, as selected by Symphs users over the past seven days:
Symphony No. 1 - Joonas Kokkonen
![ODE1129-2](/covers/10ZF.jpg)
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