Honegger - Pacific 231 {landmark Bernstein recording}

Arthur Honegger (10 March 1892 -- 27 November 1955) was a Swiss composer, who was born in France and lived a large part of his life in Paris. He was a member of Les six.

Pacific 231 (1923)

The New York Philharmonic conducted by Leonard Bernstein

The popular interpretation of the piece is that it depicts a steam locomotive, an interpretation that is supported by the title of the piece. Honegger, however, insisted that he wrote it as an exercise in building momentum while the tempo of the piece slows. He originally titled it Mouvement Symphonique, only giving it the name Pacific 231 after it was finished.

Nonetheless, Honegger was widely known as a train enthusiast, and once notably said: "I have always loved locomotives passionately. For me they are living creatures and I love them as others love women or horses."

A 1949 French award-winning film, Pacific 231, directed by Jean Mitry, used the orchestral work as the sound track for a tribute to the steam locomotive, and included incredible close-up footage of driving wheels, running gear and railroad operations, mostly taken at speed, and cut/choreographed to the music.

The Pacific is a class of steam locomotive usually designated as a 4-6-2, with four pilot wheels, six driving wheels, and two trailing wheels. The French, who count axles rather than wheels when describing locomotives, call this arrangement 2-3-1.

Pacific 231 is the first in Honegger's series of three symphonic movements. The other two are Rugby and Mouvement Symphonique No. 3. Honegger lamented that his "poor Symphonic Movement No. 3 paid dearly for its barren title." Critics generally ignored it, while Pacific 231 and Rugby, with more evocative titles, have been written about in depth.

The orchestration consists of the following:[2] 3 flutes [1.2.pic], 3 oboes [1.2.Eh], 3 clarinets [1.2.bcl], 3 bassoons [1.2.cbn] -- 4 hn, 3 trp, 3 trb, 1 tub, -- 4 perc [td.cym.bx.tamtam] -- str.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• honegger
• pacific
• 231
• bernstein
• orchestra
• france
• paris
• locomotive
• steam

[everydayholidayay]

Embodying images in tune is so fascinating!

[eltfell]

The different countings:

according to White (anglo-saxon world): 4-6-2

french: 231

german: 2'C1'

[spacepatrolman]

@didgerigabe Now watch the whole movie kronos

[ANTOONMAKA]

Superbe musique et superbe machine : deux petits monstres pour l'époque!

[didgerigabe]

Brilliant piece! The use of brass is amazing. French horns must love playing this!