Hugo Kaun Symphony No.3 & "Im Urwald": two Symphonic Poems Op.43

[eschiss1]

There are also many examples - quite a few many centuries old (but newer than Renaissance) -to show a work doesn't need big melodies to be hugely memorable.

[Mark Thomas]

As a general rule it does for me, I must admit. Without at least one worthwhile melody which I can remember all I can recall is the general effect of a work. That doesn't mean I don't enjoy or appreciate it when I do hear it, of course.

[Alan Howe]

Well, surely what Kaun's doing is working with certain easily recognisable motifs which are subject to repetition and transformation - at least, that's what I hear. This, I think, is his symphonic modus operandi, and the enjoyment (at least for me) is to be found in the way these transformations appear and re-appear in different orchestral guises.

Of course, the enjoyment of music is a very individual matter and I can appreciate that others may react very differently. It's just that I find his mastery of the orchestra in putting together these motifs and themes endlessly fascinating. And, as for the slow movement, all I can say is 'wow!' It's surely one of the great ones...

[Alan Howe]

Of course, the two 'Im Urwald' symphonic poems ('Minnehah' and 'Hiawatha'), which were composed in 1901, are quite a bit earlier than the Symphony (1913) - and they sound it. However, what characterises his music above all is a poet's instinct for colour and feeling. He would have made a fine film music composer, I sense.

[eschiss1]

Apparently his eldest son went and entered just that profession...

[Alan Howe]

Interesting.