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

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).