Honegger, A.: Demon De L'Himalaya (Le) / Crime Et Chatiment / Regain / L'Idee

Featuring

Adriano
Jacques Tchamkerten
Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Slovak Philharmonic Chorus
Arthur Honegger

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Recording & Production

For this recording, wind instrument doublings and an increased number of string players were used to achieve a modern balance, as original soundtrack recording techniques did not allow for heavy instrumental textures.

Composer Biography

Arthur Honegger, a prominent 20th-century composer, contributed to film music for about thirty years, creating around forty film scores.

Instruments

The Ondes Martenot, an early electronic instrument, is used impressively in Honegger's film scores, often as a solo instrument for leitmotifs or for atmospheric effects.

Performer Biography

Jacques Tchamkerten, the Ondes Martenot player on this album, studied the instrument with Jeanne Loriod and was a member of the Sextuor Jeanne Loriod, an ensemble of six Ondes Martenot.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Honegger, a film enthusiast, held advanced views on film music, seeing it as a distinct component that should inspire, rather than merely synchronize with, the visuals.

Compositional Technique

Honegger's score for 'Le Démon de l'Himalaya' is experimental for its time, featuring extended ostinato accompaniments, which are precursors to modern minimalist techniques.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Honegger believed that film music must adapt to strengthen and complement the visual element, aiming for an artistic unity that helps the audience understand the musical message.