Symphony No. 2 for strings and trumpet
Arthur Honegger
Work background
Researched classical background
Honegger wrote his Second Symphony for Paul Sacher and the Basel Chamber Orchestra. Its principal forces are strings, with a trumpet that may reinforce the chorale near the end of the finale. Three movements move between sustained tension and faster contrapuntal activity. The late addition of the trumpet changes the orchestral colour at a particularly exposed structural moment.
A listening guide
Listen for the trumpet joining the closing chorale after the strings have carried the work.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: String orchestra with trumpet ad libitum in the finale
Composition: 1941
Completed in 1941; premiere in 1942.
This entry describes the musical work or cycle. Composition, premiere and publication dates describe different events. Performers and recordings can be explored through the external listening search.
Also known as: Symphony No.2 in D; Symphony for Strings and Trumpet
Association Arthur Honegger: orchestral music
Work catalogue chronology and forces | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Orchestre de la Suisse Romande: Escales programme
Honegger Second Symphony commission, strings and trumpet | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sources for this work
Association Arthur Honegger: orchestral music
Work catalogue chronology and forces | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Orchestre de la Suisse Romande: Escales programme
Honegger Second Symphony commission, strings and trumpet | Reviewed 2026-10-19
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