Honegger > Jeanne d’Arc au bûcher

Live recording, 27 & 28 September 2018, Concertgebouw

Arthur Honeggers Jeanne d’Arc au Bûcher is one of the most wonderful and most inventive oratorios ever composed: it constantly changes style and color. Jeanne d’Arc au Bûcher follows the historic French heroine in the last hours before her execution. As in a detective, the run-up to her death sentence is being reconstructed. Paul Claudel’s lively libretto places Jeanne in front of strange characters. Reason for Honegger to open a colorful color box: spiritually charged choir passages, cubist sound blocks and even gadgets of variety music alternate. Choirs on the windmill of conductor Stéphane Denève, a regularly returning guest with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra; together with two choirs and a variety of soloists and actors, he realized a compelling and moving first Jeanne d’Arc au bûcher from the Concertgebouw orchestra.

Reviews
“Unforgettable Jeanne d’Arc”
– Erik Voermans, Parool

“Rare inspiration in Honeggers Jeanne”
– Martin Toet, Place de l’Opera

“An intense Jeanne d’Arc au bûcher from the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.” *****
– Jenny Camilleri, Bachtrack