Arthur Honegger (1892-1955)

[Mirror Image]

You still are, just in better disguise!

Thanks, Paul. It's too bad that I feel more like an idiot on most days.

[vandermolen]

This is one of my favourite Honegger discs:

[André]

Honegger's very fine Nicolas de Flüe doesn't seem to have attracted attention ? It's an excellent work.

[Mirror Image]

Honegger's very fine Nicolas de Flüe doesn't seem to have attracted attention ? It's an excellent work.

My problem with this work is there's just so much narration in it. It's almost as wordy as Les aventures du roi Pausole. But it does have some excellent singing and the music itself is quite good.

[VonStupp]

For as long as I can remember, I have been searching high and low for Honegger's Symphonies 1 & 5 with Rozhdestvensky and his USSR orchestra on CD (his performance of the 2nd is always readily available used), and finally nabbed one at a decent price (most have been obscenely indecent). I am beyond excited!

I also see Melodiya now has all of Rozhdestvensky's orchestral Honegger digitally available now (Sym 1, 2 & 5 + others, but minus the cello concerto).
https://melody.su/en/catalog/classic/61304/

 

I know Baudo is very well liked, but any thoughts on the incomplete Rozhdestvensky?

VS

[foxandpeng]

I'm often a bit unsure whether I like Honegger or not. I've been listening to the symphonies via this set over the last couple of days, and to be honest, the jury is still out. Good experience with #2 yesterday, but the same thing left me pretty ambivalent this morning. Some days good, some days meh.

I'm quite familiar with all the symphonies, but still not sure what I am missing 😕

[Roasted Swan]

I'm often a bit unsure whether I like Honegger or not. I've been listening to the symphonies via this set over the last couple of days, and to be honest, the jury is still out. Good experience with #2 yesterday, but the same thing left me pretty ambivalent this morning. Some days good, some days meh.

I'm quite familiar with all the symphonies, but still not sure what I am missing 😕

I must admit to having exactly the same response.  Years ago at college we played the Symphony No.2 and I loved doing that - bloomin' hard though!  Then No.3 - especially the Karajan version - is just extraordinary, but so much else just leaves me fairly engaged but also relatively indifferent.  Sometimes I like it but rarely do I love it.  Not a composer who would make it to my Desert Island but someone I keep trying to like more.

[vandermolen]

2,3,4 and 5 mean a lot to me.

[foxandpeng]

Another couple of rounds with this Plasson set before I move on, I think. Hoping it will eventually click 🙂

[vandermolen]

Another couple of rounds with this Plasson set before I move on, I think. Hoping it will eventually click 🙂

I don't think that Honegger is anyone's 'favourite composer' in my experience, but I definitely have a soft spot for him and relate to much of his music, especially symphonies 2-5, 'L'Idee' animated film score, Jeanne d'Arc, Christmas Cantata and the lovely Pastorale d'ete.

[aukhawk]

I don't think that Honegger is anyone's 'favourite composer' in my experience, but I definitely have a soft spot for him and relate to much of his music, especially symphonies 2-5,  ...

Moi aussi

[Spotted Horses]

I don't think that Honegger is anyone's 'favourite composer' in my experience, but I definitely have a soft spot for him and relate to much of his music, especially symphonies 2-5, 'L'Idee' animated film score, Jeanne d'Arc, Christmas Cantata and the lovely Pastorale d'ete.

Re you daring me to proclaim Honegger my favorite composer? 

[vandermolen]

Re you daring me to proclaim Honegger my favorite composer? 

Haha - I'm pleased to hear that. To be honest Honegger is one of my favourite composers (I started this thread 15 years ago  )

[Spotted Horses]

Haha - I'm pleased to hear that. To be honest Honegger is one of my favourite composers (I started this thread 15 years ago  )

He's my favorite composers when I'm listening to him. Maybe a dozen have that distinction. Brahms is my favorite composer when I'm not listening to music, or when I'm listening to Brahms.

[vandermolen]

He's my favorite composers when I'm listening to him. Maybe a dozen have that distinction. Brahms is my favorite composer when I'm not listening to music, or when I'm listening to Brahms.

Interesting!

[VonStupp]

Is the Melodiya Honegger set available on CD?

It appears to be only offered digitally by the looks of the Melodiya website. I mostly buy physical media too, but punted for this one digitally.

https://melody.su/en/catalog/classic/61304/

VS

[vandermolen]

It appears to be only offered digitally by the looks of the Melodiya website. I mostly buy physical media too, but punted for this one digitally.

https://melody.su/en/catalog/classic/61304/

VS

Thank you 

[Leo K.]

Listening for the first time to Herbert Von Karajan and his DGG recording of Honegger's 2nd Symphony and being truly moved throughout the whole work. I have never heard Honegger before. I am excited to continue with more symphonic works by him!

[Symphonic Addict]

Listening for the first time to Herbert Von Karajan and his DGG recording of Honegger's 2nd Symphony and being truly moved throughout the whole work. I have never heard Honegger before. I am excited to continue with more symphonic works by him!

If you were moved by his 2nd, the 3rd would probably provoke an even more impactful reaction on you. One of the greatest symphonies of the 20th century hands down.

[Lisztianwagner]

Listening for the first time to Herbert Von Karajan and his DGG recording of Honegger's 2nd Symphony and being truly moved throughout the whole work. I have never heard Honegger before. I am excited to continue with more symphonic works by him!

I agree, Honegger's Symphony No.2 is a hauntingly beautiful work, rich of timbric tension and restless sonorities; Karajan was able to show a perfect understanding of the composition, his recording is incredibly powerful and captivating. You'll certainly like his recording of Honegger 3rd too, it's even more poignant and impressive.