Honneger Symphonies Nos. 2 and 4
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Arthur Honegger
Label: MusiFrance
Magazine Review Date: 5/1986
Media Format: Cassette
Media Runtime: 0
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: MCE75259

Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
Symphony No. 2 |
Arthur Honegger, Composer
Arthur Honegger, Composer Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra Charles Dutoit, Conductor |
Symphony No. 4, 'Deliciae basiliensis' |
Arthur Honegger, Composer
Arthur Honegger, Composer Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra Charles Dutoit, Conductor |
Composer or Director: Arthur Honegger
Label: MusiFrance
Magazine Review Date: 5/1986
Media Format: Vinyl
Media Runtime: 0
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: NUM75259

Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
Symphony No. 2 |
Arthur Honegger, Composer
Arthur Honegger, Composer Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra Charles Dutoit, Conductor |
Symphony No. 4, 'Deliciae basiliensis' |
Arthur Honegger, Composer
Arthur Honegger, Composer Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra Charles Dutoit, Conductor |
Author: Robert Layton
As in the case of Dutoit's Fifth Symphony, which by the side of Baudo I found just a shade deficient in vitality and drive, I did at first feel a certain lack of momentum. In the first movement allegro (eight bars before fig. 2), I think Dutoit will strike most listeners as a bit on the slow side, but in fact he is not much slower than Honegger's metronome marking (minim = 66), whereas his rivals are generally brisker. Charles Munch opted for a much faster tempo on his pioneering 78rpm version (now transferred to LP—EMI Pathe Marconi), the only one to have been recorded in the composer's lifetime. He was, incidentally, even faster on its HMV successor, while Serge Baudo's account for Supraphon is almost headlong here. This generates much more excitement and sense of forward movement. Karajan is about right (he, too, is faster) and, not to beat about the bush, his really is in a class of its own, thanks to the glorious playing of the Berlin strings. Collectors wanting this pensive score need look no further, particularly as it is available at mid-price.
The Deliciae Basiliensis, written for Paul Sacher and the Basle Chamber Orchestra in 1948, is less often heard but it is one of Honegger's loveliest, most mercurial and, at the same time, masterly scores. Again, Charles Dutoit gives a finale account of the work, which ought to win it many new friends. He takes more measured tempos than those that have been traditional from such conductors as Albert Wolff or Charles Munch. I wondered, momentarily, just how long this symphony had been in Dutoit's active repertoire. However, this beautifully recorded performance rekindled my enthusiasm for this much underrated work, whose sunny countenance and keen nostalgia brings unfailing delight. Dutoit is particularly successful in bringing to life the ecstatic pastoral episodes of the slow movement. Like his recent issue of the First Symphony this has given me much pleasure and will, I hope, enjoy wide success.'
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