Honegger's complex contrapuntal sensibility, stemming from his lifelong admiration of Bach, made him the most rigorous composer of Les Six, combining German and French schools with classical traditions and modern trends.
Composer Biography
Arthur Honegger, the Swiss-French composer, was born in 1892 to musically-minded Swiss parents and began harmony lessons at age thirteen.
Historical Context
Although a Swiss citizen, Honegger remained in France during World War II, teaching at the École Normale de Musique, and his music was banned in Nazi Germany until 1945.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Despite the extra-musical nature of some of his pieces, such as Pacific 231, a symphonic movement inspired by a steam locomotive, Honegger insisted his works be understood from a purely musical standpoint.
Composer Biography
During his studies at the Paris Conservatoire, Honegger befriended the composers who would later be grouped as Les Six: Milhaud, Poulenc, Tailleferre, Auric, and Durey.
Performer Biography
Laurence Kayaleh, the violinist on this recording, plays a 1742 Guarnerius violin that once belonged to the famous violinist and pedagogue Carl Flesch.
Performer Biography
Paul Stewart, the pianist on this recording, made an acclaimed solo recital debut at London's Wigmore Hall and performed Rachmaninov's Fourth Piano Concerto at the Moscow Conservatory, broadcast throughout Russia.
