Pastorale D'Ete- Symphony No. 4/Une Cantate De Noel on CD

Description

Today the Swiss-born composer Arthur Honegger is often remembered as a member of Les Six that embodiment of 1920s Parisian modernism. But far from rejecting late Romantic expression, Honegger embraced it. In these live concert recordings, Vladimir Jurowski conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra in three of Honeggers most lyrical works: the dreamy Pastorale dété, the nostalgic Fourth Symphony, subtitled The Delights of Basel in remembrance of the sanctuary offered by the Swiss city during the war, and his final composition, the reflective and heartfelt Cantate de Noël. Vladimir Jurowski became the London Philharmonic Orchestras twelfth Principal Conductor in September 2007 and this CD is the latest in his ever-growing catalogue with the LPO on its own label, adding to his recent critically acclaimed recordings of Mahler Symphony No. 2, Brahms Symphonies 1 & 2 and Holsts Planets . Review Of course, anything conducted by Vladimir Jurowski is worth hearing. His galvanising effect on the band whose Principal Conductor he will shortly become was evident again here, notably in the beguiling, brushed-velvet textures he conjured in Honeggers Pastoral dété and in an immaculate ensemble and textural clarity everywhere. Full of charm and tactile invention,vivdly realised in this live recording. The inclusion of the Une Cantate de Noël on LPO Live's Honegger disc has ensured a release clearly aimed at the seasonal market. Its companion pieces are rather summery, however, and it's ultimately nostalgia that links all three works. Pastorale d'Eté depicts a country landscape under shimmering heat. The problematic Fourth Symphony, swivelling inconsequentially between neoclassical austerity and tentative lyricism, was written in the aftermath of the second world war and attempts to escape the gloomy mood of its times by evoking earlier happiness in Basel. The Cantata itself Honegger's last work, composed when he was terminally ill glances longingly and tenderly at ideas of new beginnings before gradually retreating towards its final, spiritually ambiguous silence. Paul Sacher, the Swiss music patron who died in 1999, often said his compatriot Arthur Honegger's time would come. Maybe that time is now: this disc comes on top of Marin Alsop's Joan of Arc project on both sides of the Atlantic. Honegger (1892-1955) never lacked champions Karajan and Jansons recorded the Third Symphony and here we have Jurowski and the LPO in music that shows a more seductive side than the dark depths of the wartime symphony and the Joan oratorio. All three works on this unexpectedly satisfying CD communicate a joie de vivre without ever sounding lightweight. The jaunty Symphony No 4 is performed with the wit and subtlety it deserves, bringing out the song-like character of its three movements. Pastorale d été is a dreamy orchestral summerscape, Une Cantate de Noël a radiant choral celebration of the human and the divine. The other two Honegger works on this CD ( Pastorale d été and Symphony No 4) are an acquired taste, but Une Cantate de Noël is impressively voiced. The music moves from contemplative ritual to a cunningly crafted medley of Christmas melodies and an ending of quiet serenity.