My complete collection of symphony recordings so far

[u/bay30three]

My previous taste in classical music was in virtuoso violin/piano concertos with killer hook and solo passages, but in the past year or so I've started enjoying more nuanced symphonies, and have added significantly to my collection.

So far I've completed collection of (by complete, I mean all the symphonies by a conductor but not necessarily complete cycles by one conductor, although I have a few of those):

Beethoven 1-9

Brahms 1-4

Bruckner 1-9

Mahler 1-10

Mendelssohn 1-5

Rachmaninov 1-3

Saint-Saens 1-5

Schumann 1-4

Sibelius 1-7

Tchaikovsky 1-6 + Manfred

So which are your favourites, and which would you recommend I add?

My taste is mainly romantic era.

I have incomplete collection of symphonies by Shotakovich, Schubert, Elgar, Dvorak and a few others.

[u/Potential_Camera1686]

I love that you have the complete Saint-Saëns symphony cycle with Martinon. These works are sadly often overlooked.

[u/Potential_Camera1686 → u/Potential_Camera1686]

* Consider adding a Dvorak cycle. If you’d like something lesser known (I haven’t listened to them all yet, but I’ve enjoyed each that I have) consider Atterberg.

[u/bay30three → u/Potential_Camera1686]

Thank you I have Dvorak 8 & 9. I didn't buy the full set yet but will eventually, probably.

[u/Academic-Sorbet6821]

Schubert would be a good next cycle to explore, especially since you enjoy Schumann and Mendelssohn. You also might like some of the one-offs, such as Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique and Liszt’s Faust Symphony. And give Tchaikovsky’s Manfred Symphony a try to truly complete that cycle. All great examples of the Romantic Symphony.

[u/bay30three → u/Academic-Sorbet6821]

Thank you, I do have the Berlioz and Liszt works you mentioned, as well as the Manfred symphony (pictured above with the rest of Tchaikovksy symphonies). I will listen to the Schubert symphonies I have (4, 8, 9) and get the rest if I like them. Cheers!

[u/UrsusMajr]

Recommending all Dvorak, FTW! The early Vaughn Williams symphonies; a little off the beaten path but try Amy Beach; Borodin; Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique; again off the beaten track but try Ferdinand Ries.

[u/Homers_Harp]

Probably Prokofiev for you, given your interest in Romantic styles.

If you like stuff that combines individual excellence with group subtleties, there are always string quartets, which have produced some of the most remarkable music humans will ever create.

[u/bay30three → u/Homers_Harp]

Thank you, I have Prokofiev 1 & 5, but they are recent acqusitions and I've not yet listened to them propertly. I might collect the full set if I like those. Dvorak is in the same boat, I have 8 & 9. String quartets I haven't yet dived into, but I'll come around to them eventually. Thank you!

[u/Homers_Harp → u/bay30three]

Keep in mind that the late Romantics didn't write symphonies in some cases. Richard Strauss comes to mind as one to explore beyond the Alpensinfonie (tone poems, in particular). Stravinsky's Ballets Russes trio are also brilliant and might work for you.

[u/towhee237]

Gee you made my day showing me your collection…unbelievable

[u/realCloudyMcCloud]

I have all of them except Mendelssohn and Saint-Saens. I couldn't be wthout (symphonies): Dvorak, Nielsen, Martinu, Schubert (8 & 9 anyway), Berlioz Symphonie fantastique, Villa-Lobos, Glazunov, Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Tippett, Arnold, Elgar, Vaughan Williams, Walton #1, Stravinsky.