Search - Camille Maurane, Arthur Honegger, Jean Martinon :: Honegger Pacific 231, Rugby, and Etc.

Honegger's Greatest Hits.

Miles D. Moore | Alexandria, VA USA | 06/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The French-Swiss composer Arthur Honegger was one of the young musicians lumped together as "Les Six" in the 1920s, with Erik Satie as their musical godfather and Jean Cocteau as their press agent. Honegger, with his love of big orchestras, polyphony and large symphonic forms, probably was the one who owed the least to Satie as a composer. His work in general is bold and fiercely dramatic, but also with a certain playful element that puts him in line with his friends Milhaud and Poulenc. This disc by Jean Martinon and the Orchestre National de l'ORTF brings together Honegger's three most popular works--"Pacific 231," "Rugby," and "Pastorale d'ete"--with the rarely heard "Une cantate de Noel." All four works underline Honegger's flair for drama and for programmatic music. Personally, I think Leonard Bernstein's version of "Pacific 231" is more exciting, but Martinon's version is intelligent and pays close attention to the Bachian textures of the work. Martinon really shines, however, in "Pastorale d'ete," as dreamy and delightful a piece of musical Impressionism as has ever been recorded (and the piece for which I bought this disc). Particularly at its mid-list price, this import disc is a must-buy for anyone interested in Honegger's music."

I hope I'm reviewing the right CD!

Stephan Stuecklin | Basel, Switzerland | 03/10/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Amazon doesn't specify whether there are additional pieces on this CD - I assume that aside from Pacific 231 and Rugby, both precise commentaries on two singled-out aspects of modern life, crisp and descriptive, this album includes Pastorale d'été and Une Cantate de Noël. This Christmas cantata blew me away and sent chills down my spine. So many composers and artists criticize our times, but Honegger here draws an ideal painting of what Christmas should be like, a joyful celebration of all nations, singing together unto the Lord. Carols keep popping up from behind the orchestra and interweave to a thrilling ensemble that I will most definitely play not only at Christmas!"