Honegger symphonies

[Suffolkcoastal]

There are some wonderful vocal/choral pieces by Honegger that I suspect haven't been broadcast for years either - Cantate de Noel, Jeanne d'Arc, even Le Roi David (which used to be a staple of the repertoire).

Re Poulenc - there are plenty of fine works of his that are never heard (or, at least, broadcast) - Sept répons de ténèbre, Sécheresses, Stabat mater; and of the dozens of songs, piano and chamber works, it tends to be the same few over and over again. Caligrammes? Le travail du peintre? Soirées de Nazelles? When were they last heard on R3 (unless DMcL included them in CotW).

While we are on neglected French composers, I'd be interested to see the broadcasting figures for Roussel - it's the 75th anniversary of his death this year, and as far as I'm aware there has been no recognition of that on R3. Back in 1987, the 50th anniversary was marked with several concerts and other contributions. What do we hear of him now besides the 3rd Symphony, Bacchus et Ariane and Le festin de l'araignée?

Roussel was a COTW back in 2009 and passed 50 broadcasts of his works, but since then has been neglected and hasn't even reached 15 broadcasts this year!!! I can add composers such as D'Indy and Magnard to the list of those marginalised by the current regime, though it was good that Koechlin featured as COTW last week which was most welcome.

[Roslynmuse]

Roussel was a COTW back in 2009 and passed 50 broadcasts of his works, but since then has been neglected and hasn't even reached 15 broadcasts this year!!! I can add composers such as D'Indy and Magnard to the list of those marginalised by the current regime, though it was good that Koechlin featured as COTW last week which was most welcome.

Thanks for this - a confirmation of my gut instinct.

[jayne lee wilson]

Miaou

Eh?
I did ask my cat about this and she reckoned that "in context the feline idiom has been misapplied".
(Look, I'm just the messenger...)

[cloughie]

Eh?
I did ask my cat about this and she reckoned that "in context the feline idiom has been misapplied".
(Look, I'm just the messenger...)

Cats do have very sensitive ears - I remember some years ago a reaction to Tomita's Pictures at an Exhibition- Unhatched Chicks!

[amateur51]

great photos here of Honegger + oil-can and Honegger + lawn mower

http://www.arthur-honegger.com/anglais/biographie.php

Many thanks, mercs

[Suffolkcoastal]

I have the Works of Arthur Honegger by Geoffrey Spratt. This book can be quite heavy going at times, but gives a fascinating insight into Honegger's compositional techniques with copious musical examples. Worth investigating if you want to look further into Honegger's music.

[Thomas Roth]

I was going to order the Luisi set from Suisse Romande, but when I was about to enter my card number a flash came up on my screen saying that the information can be read by everyone. A pity as I really want this set. I didn´t even know that it existed.

[HighlandDougie]

I was going to order the Luisi set from Suisse Romande, but when I was about to enter my card number a flash came up on my screen saying that the information can be read by everyone. A pity as I really want this set. I didn´t even know that it existed.

TR

I didn't experience this issue when paying - done in the usual way via a secure server. I hope that they arrive and that I haven't been the victim of a scam. In the meantime, you might want to look at:

http://www.amazon.de/gp/offer-listing/B00005BJDA/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used

A little more expensive with the postage but still not an outrageous amount

HD

[mathias broucek]

Am in Basel next week - anyone know of any record shops there?

Must second the recommendation for the choral works - esp Joan

[Thomas Roth]

HD,

Thank you for info. I ordered it from RTS anyway. Postage is 18 CHF to Sweden.

[jayne lee wilson]

"Nichols Luisi Honegger Gramophone"

- if you google that, then click on the CACHE, not the link itself, scroll down (and down...) you should be able to read the old G. archive review of this OSR/Luisi set by Roger Nichols; both eloquent and knowledgeable, it's virtually the only accurate review ever given to this wonderful cycle.

Having heard 1 and 3 again this weekend, as well as the aforementioned clarity, dynamics(!) and acoustic presence, beyond the bleakness Nichols so aptly evokes I noted a wonderfully earthy quality to these performances; as though the music was at last coming home and finding its truest, fullest expression.

[Thomas Roth]

I can´t find it, and the reviews I have read have all been lukewarm. So I look forward to making my own mind up.

[amateur51]

"Nichols Luisi Honegger Gramophone"

- if you google that, then click on the CACHE, not the link itself, scroll down (and down...) you should be able to read the old G. archive review of this OSR/Luisi set by Roger Nichols; both eloquent and knowledgeable, it's virtually the only accurate review ever given to this wonderful cycle.

Having heard 1 and 3 again this weekend, as well as the aforementioned clarity, dynamics(!) and acoustic presence, beyond the bleakness Nichols so aptly evokes I noted a wonderfully earthy quality to these performances; as though the music was at last coming home and finding its truest, fullest expression.

Roger Nichols can be one of the hardest critics to please (Nit Picker Extraordinaire) so I guess when he says he likes something one should take note. Many thanks jlw

[DublinJimbo]

A compelling post but it's £35 !!!!!!!

I can afford it but that's a lot by modern standards so I'm reluctant!

Edit - didn't realise it was 3 rathee than 2 discs. Still fairly dear.

The set's available for €20 (used) from Amazon Germany.

[Sir Velo]

I can´t find it

Works for me!