OK, but not terrific
Steven Schwartz | Austin, TX USA | 03/12/2008
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Honegger, another major Modern figure who's largely been forgotten, wrote perhaps the finest cycle of French symphonies. The Second and Third get recorded relatively often, the first not so much. I bought this mainly for the First. The Second, for string orchestra, has an optional trumpet part in the last movement, not assigned here. That doesn't bother me as much as the level of playing. These, to be sure, aren't easy to play, but Plasson and his band are downright sloppy. Honegger requires rhythmic precision. Otherwise, his highly contrapuntal textures fly apart and sink into an aural smear. I'd stay away from this one."