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Recorded live at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, London, on 28 March 2007 (Pastorale d’été and Symphony No. 4) and 5 December 2009 (Une Cantate de Noël). Today the Swiss-born composer Arthur Honegger is often remembered as a member of ‘Les Six’ – that embodiment of 1920s Parisian modernism. But far from rejecting late Romantic expression, Honegger embraced it. In these live concert recordings, Vladimir Jurowski conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra in three of Honegger’s most lyrical works: the dreamy Pastorale d’été, the nostalgic Fourth Symphony, subtitled ‘The Delights of Basel’ in remembrance of the sanctuary offered by the Swiss city during the war, and his final composition, the reflective and heartfelt Cantate de Noël. ‘Of course, anything conducted by Vladimir Jurowski is worth hearing. His galvanising effect on the band whose Principal Conductor he will shortly become was evident again here, notably in the beguiling, brushed-velvet textures he conjured in Honegger’s Pastoral d’été … and in an immaculate ensemble and textural clarity everywhere.’ Richard Morrison, The Times, March 2007 Vladimir Jurowski became the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s twelfth Principal Conductor in September 2007 and this CD is the latest in his ever-growing catalogue with the LPO on its own label, adding to his recent critically acclaimed recordings of Mahler Symphony No. 2, Brahms Symphonies 1 & 2 and Holst’s Planets. Reviews Classic FM Magazine March 2012 “Pleasing performances of some pleasing and unfamiliar music. Recommended to beachcombers (and anyone else who’s curious). – 4 out of 5 stars Financial Times 18th November 2011 “All three works on this unexpectedly satisfying CD communicate a joie de vivre without ever sounding lightweight. The jaunty Symphony No 4 is performed with the wit and subtlety it deserves, bringing out the song-like character of its three movements. Pastorale d’été is a dreamy orchestral summerscape, Une Cantate de Noël a radiant choral celebration of the human and the divine.- 4 out of 5 stars Gramophone Magazine February 2012 “What a strange conundrum the symphony is, but the LPO play it as though they mean every note. International Record Review January 2012 “a release especially recommended to those who have previously resisted Honegger, believing him to be an overly dry or dour figure. The music-making here avowedly proves otherwise. Presto Music 5th December 2011 “the whole disc is very well performed with a real sense of vitality as well as warmth and charm. – Chris O’Reilly Sunday Times 30th October 2011 [The Fourth Symphony] is full of charm and tactile invention, vividly realised in this live recording. The polyglot, quite vigorous Christmas cantata embraces a carol sequence, Silent Night (in German) making a touching appearance halfway through the middle movement. The Guardian 10th November 2011 “Pastorale d’Eté depicts a country landscape under shimmering heat. The problematic Fourth Symphony, swivelling inconsequentially between neoclassical austerity and tentative lyricism, was written in the aftermath of the second world war. The Cantata itself – Honegger’s last work, composed when he was terminally ill – glances longingly and tenderly at ideas of new beginnings before gradually retreating towards its final – 3 out of 5 stars The Telegraph 9th December 2011 “The other two Honegger works on this CD (“Pastorale d’été” and Symphony No 4) are an acquired taste, but Une Cantate de Noël is impressively voiced. The music moves from contemplative ritual to a cunningly crafted medley of Christmas melodies and an ending of quiet serenity. The Arts Desk 10th December 2011 “Jurowski’s performance is airy and rhythmically sharp, and beautifully played…There’s a joyous moment near the close [of the Christmas Cantata] when the choral cries of ‘Amen’ melt into a tender orchestral postscript. It had me reaching for the Kleenex. Very good singing from the LPO Chorus and the New London Children’s Choir, and an excellent live RFH recording. |
