- Symphonie Liturgique
"Symphonie Liturgique" is the Third Symphony by the
Swiss composerArthur Honegger .Composed in the aftermath of
World War Two it is one of Honegger's best-known works. It is in three movements, each of which (following the symphony's subtitle) is named after theLatin Mass . The first movement, "Dies irae ", is marked "allegro marcato", and has an aggressive, storm-like quality. Listeners may notice that this movement is another train ride, but more sinister than "Pacific 231 ". The slow movement, "De profundis clamavi", is in contrast meditative and lyrical. Its mode of procession suggests a long slow boat ride. The finale, "Dona nobis pacem ", is more episodic, with an insistent, marching rhythm building to a dissonant climax, before a long, lyrical coda concludes the work.Honegger himself wrote an extensive commentary on the work, making explicit the music's connection with the horrors of the War, and the desire for peace. [Liner notes to Complete Honegger Symphonies, Supraphon]
It was first performed in
Zurich on17 August 1946 withCharles Munch conducting theSuisse Romande Orchestra . It has been performed and recorded many times, and was a speciality ofHerbert von Karajan , who made a recording of it in 1973 which is still widely regarded as its finest interpretation. ["Penguin Guide to Recorded Classical Music]"Symphonie Liturgique" has strong thematic similarities with
Benjamin Britten 's "Sinfonia da Requiem " written in 1940, although it is in no sense imitative or a reworking of the earlier piece.References
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