Bernard Herrmann: Symphony no. 2?

[kyjo]

While typing up my post about film music, I remembered that I had read somewhere (probably UC) that Bernard Herrmann might have written a second symphony. He did write a Sinfonietta for string orchestra, but I can find no reference to a second symphony anywhere-not in Mike Herman's discographies, not member ttle's symphony list, nor Wikipedia. I wonder where whoever mentioned that Herrmann might have written a second symphony found such information? I would really like to hear another symphony by Herrmann since I really enjoyed his (first or only?) Symphony (available on Unicorn-Kanchana and Koch)-a powerful work akin to the major American symphonists at the time (Schuman and Diamond especially). It's one of those symphonies Colin would like, if you know what I mean ;D It (along with the other non-film music of his that has been recorded) proves that Herrmann was just as good a concert composer as a film composer. Does anyone have any leads on this intriguing prospect?

While we're at it, here is a list of Herrmann's concert (non-film) works (taken from Wikipedia):

The Forest: Tone poem for Large Orchestra (1929)
November Dusk: Tone Poem for Large Orchestra (1929)
Tempest and Storm: Furies Shrieking!: for Piano (1929)
The Dancing Faun and The Bells: Two Songs for Medium Voice and Small Chamber Orchestra (1929)
Requiescat: Violin and Piano (1929)
Twilight: Violin and Piano (1929)
March Militaire (1932), ballet music for Americana Revue (1932)
Aria for Flute and Harp (1932)
Variations on "Deep River" and "Water Boy" (1933)
Prelude to Anathema: for Fifteen Instruments (1933)
Silent Noon: for Fourteen Instruments (1933)
The Body Beautiful (1935), music from the Broadway play
Nocturne and Scherzo (1935)
Sinfonietta for Strings (1935)
Currier and Ives Suite (1935)
Violin Concerto: Unfinished (1937)
Moby Dick: Cantata (1937)
Johnny Appleseed: Unfinished Cantata (1940)
Symphony (1941)
The Fantasticks (1942)
The Devil and Daniel Webster Suite (1942)
For the Fallen (1943)
Welles Raises Kane (1943)
Echoes: String Quartet (1965)
Souvenirs de Voyage (1967)
 
A shame the VC was unfinished! I'd really like to hear the two 1929 tone poems. Violinconcerto.de also lists an unfinished "Fiddle Concerto" from 1940.

 :)

[Dundonnell]

I DO like the Herrmann Symphony :)  But I fear that it is his only one.

I find that I started a Herrmann catalogue but-for some reason-abandoned it.

This is what I had:

BERNARD HERRMANN: A CATALOGUE OF THE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC

1929:      Tone Poem “The Forest” for orchestra
                Tone Poem “November Dusk” for orchestra
                Two Songs for medium voice and chamber orchestra
1933:      “Prelude to Anathema” for fifteen instruments
                “Silent Noon” for fourteen instruments
1934:      “City of Brass” for narrator and orchestra: 6 minutes   *
1935:       Nocturne and Scherzo for orchestra: 11 minutes    *
                “A Shropshire Lad” for narrator and orchestra: 7 minutes    *
1935-36:  Sinfonietta for Strings: 16 minutes    +  (Koch and Chandos cds)
1936-38:  Cantata “Moby Dick” for two tenors, bass, male chorus and orchestra:46 minutes   +  (Barbirolli Society and Chandos cds)
1937:      Violin Concerto  (unfinished)   
1940:      Cantata “Johnny Appleseed”  (unfinished)
1941:      Symphony: 36 minutes   +  (Unicorn and Koch cds)
1942:      Suite “The Devil and Daniel Webster”    +  (Australian Eloquence cd)

My apologies; I know this is incomplete which is why, presumably, I did not post previously.

[kyjo]

I hadn't known you had made a Herrmann catalogue, Colin! Anyways, thanks for the info. I had little hope that a second symphony existed, given that I could find no reference to it :(

We really do need a new recording of the Herrmann symphony  with a word class orchestra! A pity Bernstein never recorded it-he would have been perfect for this kind of music :(

Those two early tone poems are especially intriguing...I think the next disc in Naxos' American Classics series should include the symphony and those two tone poems. With an enthusiastic conductor and professional orchestra, of course ;D

I have posted way too much today ;D

[relm1]

Don't forget Herrmann's opera, Wuthering Hieghts!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005NNJLV8/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1361785996&sr=8-2&pi=SL75

[chill319]

There are some intriguing items inventoried here:

http://findaid.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/tf438nb3jd/dsc/#c01-1.7.7.4

[Gauk]

My Mother was convinced Walton had written a 3rd Symphony. It's possible to get such ideas into one's head ...

[Christo]

My Mother was convinced Walton had written a 3rd Symphony. It's possible to get such ideas into one's head ...

It is as Victor Borge said about his new waterproof watch - once a drop of water gets in, you never get it out again.