Arthur Honegger (1892-1955)

[Cato]

That cover doesn't exactly encourage the right attitude to the music

I always wondered about that!  Does it mean that A Honegger symphony leaves notes behind...in your mind?

Or does Honegger use "too many notes" like Mozart?

[Cato]

Apparently by the same artist!  Love the timpanist!

[eyeresist]

The artist's cartoons are attractive, but surely more suited to PDQ Bach than serious music.

[vandermolen]

Yes, Ansermet's efforts were always worthy of a listen!  Especially with Honegger!

Not to be forgotten, from the early stereo era:

[asin]B000025R6S[/asin]

Serge Baudo and the Czech Philharmonic.

And amazingly, this LP cover from the 60's - which I always thought was hysterical - was posted on Google!

Yes, the Baudo set of the symphonies was excellent. The other great Honegger discs IMHO are Karajan's DGG recording of symphonies 2 and 3 (I am not generally a fan of Karajan - nice rhyme by the way  )

Also Jarvi's Chandos Version of symphonies 3 and 5

Janson's recording of symphonies 2 and 3 on EMI

Markevitch's version of Symphony 5 (DGG)

Munch's version of 2 and 5 (RCA)

The Supraphon version of 'Joan of Arc'

All Ansermet's recordings, especially Symphony 4 and 'King David'.

[Cato]

The Supraphon version of 'Joan of Arc'

All Ansermet's recordings, especially Symphony 4 and 'King David'.

Joan of Arc at the Stake on Supraphon was another Honegger performance by Baudo and the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra.

It is hard to believe that 40 and in some cases 50 years have gone by since these came out!      But consider the curiosity: would we be recommending recordings from 1910 in 1960?

[vandermolen]

Joan of Arc at the Stake on Supraphon was another Honegger performance by Baudo and the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra.

It is hard to believe that 40 and in some cases 50 years have gone by since these came out!      But consider the curiosity: would we be recommending recordings from 1910 in 1960?

And that's still my favourite version of 'Joan of Arc' - a great work in my view. I think there is something special about some of the early pioneering recordings and as a history teacher I've always had an interest in historical recordings.  Furtwangler's Berlin recording of Bruckner's 9th Symphony from 1944, for example.

[not edward]

Munch's version of 2 and 5 (RCA)

This recording doesn't get a lot of attention here, but I found it absolutely revelatory, particularly in the 2nd; hard-driving, tense and muscular. Until I'd heard it, I'd never have guessed that you could bring off the symphony at the rapid tempi that Munch uses, but for me it has an impact that dwarves that of other versions I've heard (even Karajan and Jansons). The 5th is outstanding too; the only version I'd rate alongside Markevitch.

[Karl Henning]

Thank you, gents. I think ; )

[vandermolen]

This recording doesn't get a lot of attention here, but I found it absolutely revelatory, particularly in the 2nd; hard-driving, tense and muscular. Until I'd heard it, I'd never have guessed that you could bring off the symphony at the rapid tempi that Munch uses, but for me it has an impact that dwarves that of other versions I've heard (even Karajan and Jansons). The 5th is outstanding too; the only version I'd rate alongside Markevitch.

Thanks for this Edward - you have encouraged me to listen to these fine performances again.  It was one of the first CDs I owned and certainly the first Honegger one.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Yes, thanks Edward and Jeffrey. I checked immediately on a very cheap download site, specialising in historic recordings, and hit pay dirt (as they seem to say).


http://www.classicalmusicmobile.com/144-honegger-a

[vandermolen]

Yes, thanks Edward and Jeffrey. I checked immediately on a very cheap download site, specialising in historic recordings, and hit pay dirt (as they seem to say).


http://www.classicalmusicmobile.com/144-honegger-a

Looks like a great find Johan.

Following Edward's comments I have just fished out Munch's recording of Honneger's Symphony No. 5 (which can be found on an interesting Munch RCA Artistes Repertoires double CD set).  Edward is right - the performance is terrific - very urgent and moving - the best I have heard.

[vandermolen]

Karl will get back to you on that.

Jeffrey

Karl It's only taken me three years to answer your question (unless of course I answered it before and forgot  ). Honegger's 'I am a composer' was written in 1951. Much of it is in question and answer form.  Here is an extract:

As to symphonies, I value my Symphonie Liturgique the fact that it is very little indepted to traditional aesthetics.  In my opinion the following symphony, the Deliciae Basiliensis, marks a progress in craftsmanship, and contrasts well with what had gone before, and this is indispensable.  As to the Fifth, which I have just heard, conducted by my friend Charles Munch, I am not sufficiently detached from it (it dates from the end of 1950) to judge it with complete objectivity

I suspect that Honegger's book would be of considerable interest to you as a composer yourself.

There is a newish 600 page biography by Harry Halbreich which I may try to get the library to order for me.

In a way Honegger reminds me of Vaughan Williams. Especially the 'Liturgique' reminds me of Vaughan Williams's 6th Symphony in its post-war turbulence and despair although Honegger ends his symphony with the ecstatically beautiful bird song - a note of hope in the midst of despair wheres VW offers no such consolation.  Likewise, listening to Honegger's 5th Symphony this evening brought to mind Vaughan Williams's No 9.  As with the 'Liturgique' and the VW No.6 they both come from the same decade and are their last symphonies.  There is a kind of epic defiance in both works, although this time it is the Honegger work which ends in nothingness while the harps at the end of the Vaughan Williams No 9 perhaps suggest a greater level of acceptance.

Just some rambling thoughts to keep me away from marking (grading) homework from my students. 

[Karl Henning]

Most interesting, thank you, Jeffrey. I'm certainly motivated to revisit his symphonies, and I'm looking forward to the Munch/BSO disc, whenever it comes in....

[vandermolen]

Most interesting, thank you, Jeffrey. I'm certainly motivated to revisit his symphonies, and I'm looking forward to the Munch/BSO disc, whenever it comes in....

My pleasure Karl. Let us know what you think when you receive the disc.

[bumtz]

Looks like a great find Johan.

Following Edward's comments I have just fished out Munch's recording of Honneger's Symphony No. 5 (which can be found on an interesting Munch RCA Artistes Repertoires double CD set).  Edward is right - the performance is terrific - very urgent and moving - the best I have heard.

Thanks man, this one would have been difficult to find on amazon without your hint (it does not list Honegger in credits). I placed an order.

[The new erato]

This recording doesn't get a lot of attention here, but I found it absolutely revelatory, particularly in the 2nd; hard-driving, tense and muscular. Until I'd heard it, I'd never have guessed that you could bring off the symphony at the rapid tempi that Munch uses, but for me it has an impact that dwarves that of other versions I've heard (even Karajan and Jansons). The 5th is outstanding too; the only version I'd rate alongside Markevitch.

I posted once upon a time here on the 5th after buying this:

[asin]B000099636[/asin]

calling it the best 5th I've heard. I guess it's the same set you're talking about.

[bumtz]

Any recommendations for Symphony 1 recordings? This is the only on I still have to hear.

[vandermolen]

Thanks man, this one would have been difficult to find on amazon without your hint (it does not list Honegger in credits). I placed an order.

Delighted to have been of help. Actually it's a very nice CD set.

[vandermolen]

I posted once upon a time here on the 5th after buying this:

[asin]B000099636[/asin]

calling it the best 5th I've heard. I guess it's the same set you're talking about.

Yes - that's the one!

[vandermolen]

Any recommendations for Symphony 1 recordings? This is the only on I still have to hear.

This is the symphony by Honegger which I hardly know. I must listen to it again.  Baudo's Supraphon performances are generally highly regarded.