It looks as if Dutoit and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra have embarked on a Honegger cycle: only last year they gave us a record of the Third and Fifth Symphonies (NUM75117) and now follow it up with the First and a handful of his orchestral works. There is no currently available version of this symphony on its own, though it is to be found in the two complete sets of Honegger's symphonies from Michel Plasson and the Capital Orchestra (EMI Pathe Marconi/Conifer 2C 167 16327/9, 2/81) and Serge Baudo and the Czech Philharmonic (Supraphon 110 1741/3, 9/79). Honegger's First Symphony was among the celebrated works commissioned by Koussevitzky for the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the others being Stravinsky's Symphony of psalms, Roussel's Third Symphony and Prokofiev's Fourth. (If only a present-day celebration could produce similar riches.) The First Symphony is the product of a fertile imagination and searching musical mind: its level of energy is characteristic of the later symphonies and the slow movement has a dignity and eloquence that foreshadows the corresponding movements of the Second and Third. In short, it is a highly stimulating and a rewarding piece, expertly scored. Charles Dutoit gets an excellent response from the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra who produce a splendidly cultured sound, and particularly beautiful phrasing in the slow movement. The Erato recording surpasses any of its predecessors in detail and range, and the perspective is expertly judged. The remainder of the side is occupied by an atmospheric and sympathetic account of Pastoral d'ete.
Side 2 is taken up by the three Symphonic movements of which ''Pacific 231'' is by far the best-known and widely recorded. The last is unrepresented in the current catalogue, the other two having been restored in the 1966 CBS series ''The Bernstein Years'' (60341, 1/83). This newcomer has the advantage of a more up-to-date and finely-detailed recording: the Bernstein version suffers from rather coarse-grained sound. However, Dutoit's ''Rugby'' is a genteel affair by comparison with Bernstein's—or for that matter the composer's own on 78rpm (Parlophone R20128, 1/31)—and his ''Pacific 231'' is lower voltage, if such a term is permissible about a locomotive from the age of steam. Incidentally, Honegger recorded enough of his own music, including the Cello Concerto, the Symphonie liturgique, the Prelude to The Tempest and two of the three Symphonic movements, and Pastoral d'ete to make a valuable LP transfer. But to return to this present issue, I have enjoyed it very much indeed and have played the symphony more than once already. I cannot wait to hear the CD which will have the field to itself, and ought to be a winner!'