Classical "one-hit wonders"

Disagree with that as well. Much prefer the Piano Concerto and think Rhapsody sounds a lot better in the original jazz band version.

Roger

I think No. 8 is better, and I listen to Nos. 7 & 8 more often the New World. I was playing Kertesz’ #8 when I came across this thread.

Dvorak isn’t a one-hit wonder by any stretch of an imagination I can think of. There are several great string quartets (not just the “American”), the violin and cello concertos, Serenade For Strings, and so on, in addition to the symphonies. There is lots that is great from Dvorak.

Duka’s La Peri is a fantastic piece, as is Polyeucte. David Zinman did a fantastic album on Philips with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. It includes Sorcerer’s Apprentice too.

I love this work, and am pretty sure I have listened to it more than Carmen, or even instrumental excepts from Carmen.

I’m listening to one of three copies I have of this. This particular version is backed with that one-hit wonder Debussy’s Jeux. :stuck_out_tongue:

I have the Speakers Corner reissue of this. I bought it for the Dukas, rather than the Debussy. I think the Zinman version of La Peri is better though.

In addition to his great violin and cello concertos. I agree with you 100%

1 Like

Good example, though not written by Albinoni.

Not to mention the tone poems, Slavonic dances, 6th symphony also excellent. The list goes on. Bit flabbergasted tbh that Dvorak could ever be called a one hit wonder!

Bit like saying Beethoven was a one hit wonder with the 5th symphony :grin:

1 Like

Seriously? Berlioz, a one-hit wonder?

To me, if there was only one piece Berlioz could be remembered for, it certainly wouldn’t be the Fantastique. It would be Les Troyens, one of the most magnificent operas ever written. And what about Les Nuits d’Été, one of the most famous song cycles for soprano? La Damnation de Faust? Etc.

2 Likes

Maybe in Europe. But in the US those other titles rarely played and too obscure. Here most everyone remembers excluding classical geeks, Fantastique is it.

But 9th is popular. I am not basing on what’s better. More like what’s popular or played often publicly. 9th is very Americana so it gets played a lot and so much hummerble phrases. Somehow comparatively 8th is muted. So.. from the familiarity and popularity 9th is his most notable recognizable piece. I also love many of his string quartets but those do not count cuz when it comes to fill the hall, nothing beats the 9th. Personally I am kind of OD on it but this is more recognisable piece than any other his symphonies.

Also a reminder per original poster’s post: This was his criteria.

“one-hit wonders” or have one piece that is so popular that it completely overshadows all their other work.

I do not think we should get into what’s better. cuz that’s subjective. But would you agree that Rhapsody is more popular regardless of what you think of the piece?

Yep, that’s why I also suggested that the Four Seasons should be included, Vivaldi’s body of work is huge but to most lay-people it’s the 4 seasons that he’s most well known for and dominates everything else he’s written.

1 Like

Yep. I agree. I am so ODed on that piece ( it’s particularly so damn popular in Japan it’s sickening ) but now I am exploring his other work. As I discover his other work, my admiration for the composer grew exponentially!

Nope. he’s got more than one hit. He’s got the 9th & 6th for a starter and Fur Elise which every kid learning piano played. Oh. plus those damn Moonlight Sonata.

The problem is that we don’t seem to agree on a definition. My understanding of a one-hit wonder is an artist who had a huge hit that made him or her famous, but never produced anything else really worth listening to.

Eric Carmen’s “All by myself” or Berlin’s “Take my breath away” come to mind.

Dvorak, Vivaldi, etc. will be disqualified from that not-so-envious category - they may have an opus everybody knows them for, but also mass produced other high quality work.

However if the definition is composers who are primarily remembered for a certain piece despite having written plenty of other high quality work, then yes they could be on the list.

Claude

1 Like

FYI: This is the criteria OP set up.

Blockquote“ one-hit wonders” or have one piece that is so popular that it completely overshadows all their other work.

It’s the popularity amongst general public. OP’s Vivaldi example is a good one. He composed many other great work but by far 4 Seasons is the one gets played most and popular.

Yes but not to the extent “it completely overshadows all their other work”.

Roger

How about all other classical music work?
Groffe did a terrific job turning the Rhapsody into a bonafide orchestral work, much like Ravel turned Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an exhibition to an orchestral work. Today Orchestra version is played a lot more than piano version. Personally I prefer the original piano version but I have not head anything better than Richter doing it…

Dukas: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Perhaps it renders Dukas a one hit wonder but what a hit it was!

1 Like