Arthur Honegger - Orchestral Works (Jean Martinon)

Information

Composer: Arthur Honegger

1. Pacific 231, symphonic movement No. 1
2. Rugby, symphonic movement No. 2
3. Pastorale d'été, symphonic poem
4. Une Cantate de Noël, cantata for baritone, chorus, organ & orchestra

Camille Maurane, baryton-martin (The highest baritone-voice, named after the French singer, Martin, and found only in French repertoire) (4)
Henriette Puig-Roget, organ (4)
Choeur d'oratorio et Maîtrise de l'ORTF (4)
Orchestre National de l'ORTF
Jean Martinon, conductor
Date: 1971
Label: EMI

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Reviews

ARTISTIC QUALITY: 9 / SOUND QUALITY: 7

There may have been better played performances of Pacific 231 (Zinman’s recent Decca recording, for example), but Jean Martinon’s typically clear, expertly balanced effort reveals more detail than most, and the slight coarseness in execution arguably suits the locomotive subject matter. Both Rugby and Pastorale d’été also work well, the first appropriately muscular and athletic, the second subtly colored and bittersweet, its sinuous woodwind lines clinging like ivy to a supporting trellis of strings. The most important item, however, is the Christmas Cantata, a deliciously un-tacky contrapuntal mélange of traditional tunes and stylistically appropriate original material–one of the finest works of its type. With Baudo’s excellent Supraphon recording currently unavailable, this MHS reissue of EMI’s becomes the only show in town, and a fine one it is. Self-recommending.

-- David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday

More reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/Honegger-Pacific-Rugby-Pastorale-Cantate/dp/B000006DE0

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Arthur Honegger (10 March 1892 – 27 November 1955) was a Swiss composer, who was born in France and lived a large part of his life in Paris. He was a member of Les Six. His most frequently performed work is probably the orchestral work Pacific 231, which was inspired by the sound of a steam locomotive. His style is weightier and more solemn than that of his colleagues in Les Six.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Honegger

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Jean Martinon (10 January 1910 – 1 March 1976) was a French conductor and composer. He studied at Paris Conservatory under Albert Roussel for composition, under Charles Munch and Roger Désormière for conducting, under Vincent d'Indy for harmony, and under Jules Boucherit for violin. Martinon's repertoire focused on the works of early twentieth century French and Russian composers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Martinon

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