Honegger: Symphony No. 2 for String Orchestra and Trumpet; Symphony No. 3 "Liturgique" / Stravinsky: Concerto in D for String Orchestra [Import]

Arthur Honegger (Composer), Igor Stravinsky (Composer), Herbert von Karajan (Conductor), Berliner Philharmoniker (Orchestra), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Fritz Wesenigk (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Fritz Wesenigk
• Orchestra: Berliner Philharmoniker, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Herbert von Karajan
• Composer: Arthur Honegger, Igor Stravinsky
• Audio CD (July 14, 1995)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Dg Imports
• ASIN: B000001GQN
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #28,987 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #59 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Brass
  • #80 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Symphonies > Modern & 20th Century
  • #99 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Modern, 20th, & 21st Century > Forms & Genres > Symphonies

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Greatest Honegger Disc of all Time!!!, October 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Honegger: Symphony No. 2 for String Orchestra and Trumpet; Symphony No. 3 "Liturgique" / Stravinsky: Concerto in D for String Orchestra (Audio CD)

Karajan's account of both the second and third of the Honegger symphonies has never, and in my mind, will never be surpassed. In the second symphony Karajan gives us an intense, and extremely poetic version, of this most dark yet beutiful of the Honegger symphonies. The ending is particularly moving. Every detail comes out crystal clear, and we really see just what the composer was going for. The third is just as good. Karajan draws ravishing, and once again intense (I don't think that the word "intense" can be overused when reviewing this disc) playing from the Berlin Philharmonic. I believe Karajan really prized this music, and he seems to pour his heart and soul into it, showing us, as it seems ha already knew, that Honegger is truly one of the greatest composers of the 20'th century. Great sound quality,too, when listening to this CD you feel as if the orchestra was right in front of you. This disc can not be recommended enough; it's priceless.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A CD Worth All the Raves, July 23, 2002

By 

D. C. Cannon "dcannon661" (Rockville, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Honegger: Symphony No. 2 for String Orchestra and Trumpet; Symphony No. 3 "Liturgique" / Stravinsky: Concerto in D for String Orchestra (Audio CD)

These recordings of Honegger's best symphonies have always received rave reviews, and for once the praise is worth it. The Second has ravishing string writing, often dense and mysterious but finally triumphant. The Third for full orchestra is more brutal but the slow movement and final coda shows off some of the most poetic writing of any 20th century composer. These are symphonies of the war years and are serious meditations of the times. Why Honegger is so little played these days is beyond me - he is modern yet definitely tonal. Most listeners will have little trouble entering this soundscape.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superb recording in every way, March 27, 2000

By 

George N. Fabian (Mountainside, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Honegger: Symphony No. 2 for String Orchestra and Trumpet; Symphony No. 3 "Liturgique" / Stravinsky: Concerto in D for String Orchestra (Audio CD)

It would be hard to believe that Karajan made a finer recording than this legendary recording of two of Honneger's symphonic masterworks. It deserved all of the superlative reviews that it has received. Both symphonies convey the anguish and despair of a war-torn, ravaged Europe and yet there are passages that convey hopefulness. Both symphonies were written with very deep-felt conviction and Karajan, in deeply committed performances, brings this to the fore. A must for any serious classical collection.