Using criteria for the Great American Novel, a widely shared, lucrative, & evolving national obsession, the GAS must also act as a snapshot of American life—capturing emotions, manners, & cultures. The symphony must embody American essences & complexities of national identity. We start this playlist (1 of 3) with the newest candidate—Symphony in one movement by Steven Stucky (1949-2016) premiered in 2012 by Gustavo Dudamel leading LA Phil—with sections “Intro & Hymn”, “Outcry’, “Flying”, & “Hymn & Reconciliation”—co-commissioned with NY Phil who got recording rights. NY Times found the work “engrossing;” LA Times: “substance and uncertainty”. Virgil Thomson (1896-1989) composed Symphony on a Hymn Tune in Paris under the wing of Nadia Boulanger in 1928 & conducted the NY Phil premiere in 1945. The Boston Globe called it “strong as hell.” Kyle Gann noted the work’s “…affectionately comic evocations.” Another taut one-movement work, First Symphony by Samuel Barber (1910-81) was premiered in Rome in 1936. Cleveland gave the U.S. premiere with Artur Rodzinski, who then conducted it with Vienna in Salzburg—the first American symphony heard there. U.S. cities embraced it. Chock full of American tunes & expanding the form to five movements, Symphony No. 2 by Charles Ives (1874-1951) was composed 1897-1902—but not premiered until 1951 by the NY Phil. Ives heard Bernstein conduct the live broadcast on a neighbor’s radio. While not called a symphony, Harmonielehre by John Adams (b.1947) is convincing (“thrilling ambition & equally thrilling success”—SF Gate) with movements: “The Anfortas Wound”, “Meister Eckhardt & Quackie”. Named after Theory of Harmony by Arnold Schoenberg, It was commissioned & premiered (1985) by San Francisco Symphony, Edo De Waart conducting. Each recording here is the best available. Stiff competition for Ives was finally settled by the brilliance of LA Phil playing the Ives Society Critical edition, Dudamel & DG in 2020.