Arthur Honegger - Symphonies Nos. 4 " Deliciae Basiliensis" and 5 " di tre re"; Pacific 231

Arthur HONEGGER (1892-1955)

Symphony No. 4 Deliciae Basilienses (1947) 

Symphony No. 5 Di tre re (1948)

Pacific 231 (Mouvement Symphonique) (1923)

Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse

Michel Plasson

Rec. 1977-1979, Halle-aux-Grains,

...That softer emotion is continued into the peaceful Fourth Symphony which serenely evokes the delights of Basle. This is dreamily done by Plasson who manages to balance the reflective radiance of the music with the need to avoid stagnation. A Britten-like delicacy - especially in the string writing - is to be found in the angular finale which here is not quite as merry as the note-writer suggests. A heart attack shortly after the premiere of the Fourth left Honegger an invalid for his remaining eight years. In a commission that brought his symphonies full circle the Fifth, like the First, was a Koussevitsky commission. The title refers to the pianissimo note D on timpani and basses. This is heard pizzicato at the end of each movement. The Symphony is a severe and troubled work with precious little of the tender balm so beautifully on show at the end of the Liturgique. The technically adroit recording quality greatly aids Pacific 231 the piece by which most of us know Honegger. This has more to do with Mossolov’s Iron Foundry than with Coronation Scot. Steely magnificence is the order of the day. There is none of the gamin humour to be found in Villa-Lobos’s Little Train of the Caipira..

Extracted from Music Web Review of the compilation set of Complete Symphonies