Favorite symphony orchestra TAKE 2

Tubaryan12 · Post by **Tubaryan12** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 10:49 pm

KingbaritoneGod wrote: I hope this poll satisfies everyone.

Here???
Satisfy everyone???

KevinMadden · Post by **KevinMadden** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 10:51 pm

the best way to do what you're hoping for here would be to not make it a poll, just ask what's everyone's favorite Orchestra? and everyone can post tehir favorites, and discussion can begin. hooray!

SplatterTone · Post by **SplatterTone** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 11:29 pm

John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra are rather good. One of those "whatever happened to those guys" kind of deal. I haven't seen hide nor hair of Jan Hammer since Miami Vice went off the air. But then ... I haven't been looking all that hard for him either.
http://tinyurl.com/yjc6vj

tofu · Post by **tofu** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 1:27 am

Tubaryan12 wrote:
KingbaritoneGod wrote: I hope this poll satisfies everyone.
Here???
Satisfy everyone???

HA! HA! HA! You got that right!

Chgo Civic

vs

The CSO??

That would be like watching my old HS football team with me playing against Ohio State!

While the Civic has some fine muscians it is more like the farm team for the CSO.

smurphius · Post by **smurphius** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 3:24 am

Milwaukee is pretty good too ya know...

Wyvern · Post by **Wyvern** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 3:56 am

What about British orchestras?

I nominate the London Symphony Orchestra (the orchestra on the Star Wars soundtracks!)

dmmorris · Post by **dmmorris** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 6:44 am

I refuse to play! This list is totally incomplete.

hrumph!

ZNC Dandy · Post by **ZNC Dandy** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 9:50 am

Your teacher doesn't think Cincinnati is that good huh? What teacher would this be? Private instructor? Band Director? Drum Corp______(insert whatever proper title is here)? Ever listened to a recording for yourself? Have you ever tried to form YOUR own opinion, based on the gathering of YOUR own knowledge, instead of regurgitating the opinion of another?

joebob · Post by **joebob** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 10:32 am

Let me suggest that when people post their favorite symphony orchestra, they should also inform us as to what professional symphony orchestras they have heard live. If all you are going on is recordings, then the topic should be "Your favorite orchestral recording." At the very least, at least let us know how you are making your judgement whether it's recordings, live performances, or pictures you've seen of those sexy musicians. I have heard the following orchestras live within the past 10 years: St. Louis, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Philly, Boston, Cleveland, London Symphony, Toronto, Chicago, Indianapolis, Minnesota, and San Francisco.

I'd have to say my favorite was San Francisco - they were incredibly precise in all ways, and they were at the same time quite emotionally expressive. I also thought Cleveland was very precise, but very flat in terms of emotional expression (I'm not the only one to have this complaint with their current music director). On a different note, two orchestras that surprised me in their high level of playing were Minnesota and Milwaukee - Minnesota being slightly better. I hadn't quite thought of Minnesota in that top level of orchestra but based on what I heard they belong there.

Every orchestra has good nights and bad nights and all kinds of nights in between - obviously I can only judge based on the nights I heard. There are some variables like repertoire, hall, and conductor that could also make a big difference in my perception of each orchestra's quality.

ThomasP · Post by **ThomasP** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 10:50 am

For all the people whining about some European orchestra not being on the list, the poster did say USA Orchestras.

Now, if Minnesota is on the list, Cincinnati should be on the list. Under the direction of Paavo Jarvi, Cincinnati has steadily improved. I live in Cincinnati and go downtown for a concert about once a month at least. I have yet to be dissapointed with any "big" piece that they've played and I know well.

I sometimes wonder if Cincinnati is now the best orchestra in Ohio, perhaps I'll trek up to Cleveland and find out myself.

ZNC Dandy · Post by **ZNC Dandy** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 10:57 am

Cincinnati is head and shoulders above Cleveland. They seem to be still under the von Dohnanyi spell. I saw a perfromance of Tchaik 5 last year that was very very top heavy, especially in the final movement. But that may have also been the atrocious acoustics of Severance Hall. Brass was very restrained, which seems to be the opposite of any other orchestra I have heard perform Tchaik 5. Awesome strings sound though.

joebob · Post by **joebob** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 11:09 am

Dandy: Here is a writer who agrees with you. I just saw this article today:

http://www.nysun.com/article/44570

TubeNet

Favorite symphony orchestra TAKE 2

What's your favorite USA orchestra?

Re: Favorite symphony orchestra TAKE 2

Re: Favorite symphony orchestra TAKE 2

...