Koechlin Symphony No.1/etc.

[Alan Howe]

Do tell us what you think. At least the performance and sound seem good...

[Tapiola]

I'm happy to disagree with everyone else about Koechlin's Symphony No. 1. A beautiful, pensive, eloquent, even thought-provoking (an epithet that often comes to mind whenever I hear something by this composer) piece. I don't mind if it doesn't follow a formal symphonic structure/development, that's his own taking on the form after all (in this case it's an orchestration, though). His ear for orchestration and ecstatic harmonic language is second to none. And truth be told, he's a much more interesting composer than many others who are mentioned on this forum (sorry, I couldn't help myself).

[Alan Howe]

Actually, I'm genuinely glad that someone values the Koechlin so highly. Although I don't share this opinion at present, maybe the penny will drop for me at some point in the future...

[Mark Thomas]

Absolutely, no apology needed, it's always good to be challenged by different opinions.

[Ilja]

Having taken my time to inhale Koechlin's symphony, I've reversed my earlier rather negative view on the work (which was based on an older recording, and also quite some time ago). As Alan indicated, this is music that is about the journey, not the destination. And if it's aimless, that is by intention. For that reason alone, the comparison with Franck seems a bit off to me; if there is any prevailing influence in Koechlin's very individual musical language it's probably Fauré. Of course, that also makes it difficult to find one's orientation, and penetrate the structure of the music – and I can see how that may turn some people off it. However, the rich textures and, following Tapiola, "ecstatic harmonies" make it a rich listening experience nonetheless even if it is one that I at least need to be in the right mood for. Don't take this on if you're in a hurry, it does need full attention to be rightly appreciated.

[Ebubu]

I hesitated before buying, and I should have known better.

Before you buy, you always have the option to know whether you'll listen to it a second time...
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lv1WdJ1SsiEBVTuVhs7DxMaJ4Xrryazac

[Alan Howe]

It's not always that simple. Sometimes curiosity can be piqued on first listening, only for one to be disappointed on subsequent hearings having actually bought the recording. But I take your point.

[Mark Thomas]

I've just listened to Koechlin's Seven Stars Symphony in the hope of a Road to Damascus moment, but I'm afraid that my reaction is the same as I had to the Symphony No.1. To be fair it does have a little more life to it, but Koechlin's mixture of heavy chromaticism, generally slow tempi and extremely lush orchestration is just not to my taste. As my mother would say: "I'm sure it's very nice if you like that sort of thing", but I'm afraid it's just not my cup of tea.