Arthur Honegger's Symphony No. 2 is scored for string orchestra with a single trumpet added only in the final moments, contributing to its dark, brooding mood.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Arthur Honegger, unlike some of his contemporaries, maintained a strong respect for musical tradition, proclaiming his loyalty to 'chamber and symphonic music in all their most grave and austere aspects'.
Historical Context
Arthur Honegger's Symphony No. 2 was composed during the 'sad days of the Occupation' in World War II, with the composer recalling that immersing himself in Beethoven's quartets stimulated him to begin work.
Composer Biography
Henri Lazarof, born in Bulgaria, continued his musical studies in Israel and Rome before emigrating to the United States in 1957, where he completed his studies at Brandeis University.
Composition History
Arthur Honegger's Symphony No. 2 was commissioned by Swiss conductor Paul Sacher, a champion of modern music who also commissioned works from Stravinsky, Bartók, and Britten.
Composition History
Henri Lazarof's 'Poema' was composed in 1985 as a wedding gift for Gerard Schwarz, the conductor on this album, and his wife, Jody.
Composer Biography
Arthur Honegger, a French composer born to Swiss parents, was initially associated with 'Les six français', a group of young French composers interested in jazz and machine-age sounds, though he had only superficial commonality with them.
You might also enjoy...
Bernstein Century: Ives - The Unanswered Question
Grażyna Bacewicz: Complete Orchestral Works Vol. 3
Arthur Honegger: Orchestral Works
Ives / Ruggles / Piston: Orchestral Music
Martinu: Symphony No. 4 / Estampes / Le Depart
Symphony No. 7
Bruckner: Symphony in D Minor, WAB 100 & 3 Pieces, WAB 97
Richard Meale: Viridian / Symphony No. 1 / Scenes from Mer De Glace
Saint-Saens: Symphony No.3 "Organ"; Bacchanale from "Samson et Dalila"; Prélude from "Le Déluge"; Danse macabre
