Arthur Honegger

Swiss by birth, Arthur Honegger (1892-1955) was one of the twentieth century's greatest French composers. Aligned with the group Les Six from 1920, Honegger made his first impression with the oratorio Le Roi David (1921); not long after Honegger composed his most famous, the symphonic poem Pacific 231 (1923). Honegger was one of the first significant composers of film music in Europe and composed five symphonies, of which the Symphony No. 2 for trumpet and strings (1940) is the most often performed. Honegger's last years were plagued by ill health and the unsubstantiated accusation that he was an axis powers collaborator. ~ Uncle Dave Lewis , All Music Guide