Honegger symphonies

[HighlandDougie]

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

And would still seem to be available at:

http://boutique.rts.ch/-pr-10194/arthur-honegger-symphonies-mouvements-symphoniques/arthur-honegger-symphonies-mouvements-symphoniques.html

although the postage is higher than from German Amazon. Pace Thomas Roth's post above about the virtues of the Karajan 2nd and 3rd, it is so engrained in my consciousness that it's difficult not to compare all other versions unfavourably with it but the recent-ish BaL choice in the Liturgique, Jansons and the Concertgebouw, has finally managed to replace the Karajan in my affections (and I also much like Zinman in the 2nd). I'm therefore awaiting delivery of the Luisi with a great deal of interest as Honegger's music holds a special place for me (ah, the impressionability of youth .....)

[jayne lee wilson]

...and I would still urge upon people the merits of the Munch Boston/SO 2&5 (in excellent 1952-3 mono, Japanese BMG if affordable...!) and his ORTF/Lamoureux 4th from 1967, c/w an equally splendid Dutilleux 2. There's a nice 2003 Erato of the latter with a yellow/green oil painting on the front (by Josquin Pouillon). These readings are the opposite extreme from Luisi - swift, tight, punchy - "floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee"..

[Bryn]

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

Only for delivery within Germany when I looked.

[Roslynmuse]

...and I would still urge upon people the merits of the Munch Boston/SO 2&5 (in excellent 1952-3 mono, Japanese BMG if affordable...!) and his ORTF/Lamoureux 4th from 1967, c/w an equally splendid Dutilleux 2. There's a nice 2003 Erato of the latter with a yellow/green oil painting on the front (by Josquin Pouillon). These readings are the opposite extreme from Luisi - swift, tight, punchy - "floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee"..

Seconded - the Honegger/Dutilleux pairing is excellent.

[Thomas Roth]

I remember buying the Honegger/Dutilleux on LP once, Metaboles and not second symphony, and I have it on CD as well. I´m not that keen on the Jansons third since he makes some minor changes to what Honegger wrote. Like details where the composer indicates piano arpeggios and Jansons plays them like straight chords. No need to do that.

[Thomas Roth]

Works for me!

But I´m so stupid and don´t know what a CACHE is. Hilfe.

[Bryn]

But I´m so stupid and don´t know what a CACHE is. Hilfe.

I think it's found in the attic.

[soileduk]

But I´m so stupid and don´t know what a CACHE is. Hilfe.

If you put ''Nichols Luisi Honegger Gramophone'' into google and search when the results appear hover your cursor over the right hand side of the gramophone result. When two chevrons appear then click on them, ''Cached'' is in blue on the right.

[Thomas Roth]

Tadaaaaa! Thanks soileduk - found it.

[jayne lee wilson]

Playing Munch's 1952 Boston Honegger 5, listening to the allegretto I thought, "it'd be hard to better this". Stunning virtosity and intensity! So then - Luisi and the OSR. Slower, darker, deeper, drawing you in further... but still that bright sudden almost-chinoiserie, as vivid as it should be! I'd REALLY hate to choose but if I HAD to - it'd be Luisi. Every time.

As for Luisi in No.4... a first movement so beautiful you just don't need comparisons.

This set should have won awards, like the recent Behlolavek/BBCSO/Martinu...

[HighlandDougie]

So then - Luisi and the OSR. Slower, darker, deeper, drawing you in further... but still that bright sudden almost-chinoiserie, as vivid as it should be! I'd REALLY hate to choose but if I HAD to - it'd be Luisi. Every time.

As for Luisi in No.4... a first movement so beautiful you just don't need comparisons.

This set should have won awards, like the recent Behlolavek/BBCSO/Martinu...

Set arrived yesterday. Very impressive so far (although no-one will ever dislodge Martinon's 'Pastorale d'Été' in my affections) with real weight to the sound and good orchestral playing. I like Luisi's measured approach to the music. A great bargain at the price. Am again in JLW's debt for pointing it out. 4th and 5th next.

[Thomas Roth]

I have now listened to disc no one and I find the music making to be far too relaxed. Amusing to read in the booklet that symphony no 1 is the only without a subtitle. I can´t find one for no 2, can you?

[Sir Velo]

Amusing to read in the booklet that symphony no 1 is the only without a subtitle. I can´t find one for no 2, can you?

How about "Symphony for Strings"?

Agree with you about Luisi btw. You may be able to hear the detail but where is the sweep?

[amateur51]

How about "Symphony for Strings"?

Agree with you about Luisi btw. You may be able to hear the detail but where is the sweep?

I think they tended to die out with the advent of central heating?

[HighlandDougie]

[QUOTE=Sir Velo;

Agree with you about Luisi btw. You may be able to hear the detail but where is the sweep? [/QUOTE]

A chacun son gout, works for me.