Search - Arthur Honegger, Richard Studt, Tamas Vasary :: Honegger: Symphony No. 4; Pastoral d'été; Prélude, Arioso et Fughette; Concertino

Arthur Honegger (1892-1955) is one of the major figures in French music in the 20th century. He is a romantic bridge to modernist Oliver Messiaen and post-modernist Henri Dutilleux. Symphony 4 (Deliciae Basilienses) of 1947 is a celebration of Switzerland and its role as a haven during WWII. It's charmingly melodic with jazz-like interjections from the piano. Pastoral d'ete (1920) is very Debussian and almost English in its use of folk melodies. The Prelude, Arioso et Fughette is a 1938 orchestral transcription of a piano work based on the letters B-A-C-H. It's all good stuff. --Paul Cook