Symphony X
August 19, 2010
It's funny how certain numbered symphonies of various composers can share characteristics. The second symphonies of Beethoven, Brahms, and Sibelius are all their sunniest. Brahms' third was his most economical symphony; Sibelius' third was his. The fourth symphonies of Sibelius, Nielsen, and Vaughan Williams are dissonant and challenging. The fifth symphonies of Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Nielsen all portray a cosmic struggle. Mahler's sixth is his only tragic symphony; so is Tchaikovsky's sixth. And, most famously, the last symphony completed by Beethoven, Dvorak, Bruckner, Mahler, and Vaughan Williams, among others, was their ninth. Perhaps it's all just coincidence, but perhaps not. (100)
It's funny how certain numbered symphonies of various composers can share characteristics. The second symphonies of Beethoven, Brahms, and Sibelius are all their sunniest. Brahms' third was his most economical symphony; Sibelius' third was his. The fourth symphonies of Sibelius, Nielsen, and Vaughan Williams are dissonant and challenging. The fifth symphonies of Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Nielsen all portray a cosmic struggle. Mahler's sixth is his only tragic symphony; so is Tchaikovsky's sixth. And, most famously, the last symphony completed by Beethoven, Dvorak, Bruckner, Mahler, and Vaughan Williams, among others, was their ninth. Perhaps it's all just coincidence, but perhaps not. (100)