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Pacific 231
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Wikipedia article
'Pacific 231' is an orchestral work by Arthur Honegger, written in 1923.
It is one of his most frequently performed works.
Description
The popular interpretation [https://musicalgeography.org/honeggers-pacific-231-review-of-the-premiere/ Honeggers Pacific 231 review of the premiere|Musical Geography] of the piece is that it depicts a steam locomotive, one that is supported by the title of the piece alongside film versions. Honegger explained 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', a class of steam locomotive designated in Whyte notation as a 4-6-2, with four pilot wheels, six driving wheels, and two trailing wheels (in France, where axles rather than wheels are counted, this arrangement is designated 2-3-1) after it was finished.[http://www.musicweb-international.com/programme_notes/honegger_231.htm notes by Paul Serotsky] 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."
Form
The work consists of five main sections, all of which are delineated consecutively through musical motifs, ostinatos, and other textural demarcations. Each of the sounds are elements of a train and the different soundscapes generated before, during, and at the conclusion of its trip.
# Standstill
# The start of the locomotive
# Increasing speed
# Driving at top speed
# Deceleration and stop
Accompanying the 1923 published score, Honegger described the long-range form of the work:
Orchestration
The orchestra consists of: 2 flutes, piccolo flute, 2 oboes, English horn, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon 4 French horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, 4 percussionists (tenor drum, cymbal, bass drum, tam tam) strings.
'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.
In film
, 1931
A 1949 award-winning French film, '[https://vimeo.com/122848414 Pacific 231]', directed by Jean Mitry, used the orchestral work as the sound track for a tribute to the steam locomotive, and included close-up footage of driving wheels, running gear and railroad operations, mostly taken at speed, and cut/choreographed to the music.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u7w1IRhreY Pacific 231 (1949) Part 2 of 2-MyFootage.com on YouTube][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QCope9xAJ0 Pacific 231 (1949) Part 1 of 2-MyFootage.com on YouTube]
References
# Honegger, Arthur (1951), trans. Clough, Wilson O. and Willman, Allan Arthur (1966). 'I am a Composer'. London: Faber and Faber Ltd.
# Study score, Salabert, Paris, (1924)
;Specific
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