In 1954, the filmmaker Georges Rouquier decided to dedicate a film to Arthur Honegger. The great composer, then 62 years old and already very ill, agreed to confide to the director's camera.
The result is a precious document, in which Honegger expresses himself, within the four walls of his apartment on the Boulevard de Clichy, on his life, his career, his conception of art and music, the mystery of composition, and his vision of the contemporary world.
Knowing that most of the 40 minutes of the projection consists of a monologue by Honegger, one could fear a tedious experience but, given that the composer expresses himself with clarity and vivacity, without any pedantry, boredom is not part of the story. Especially since Georges Rouquier regularly illustrates the musician's words with the help of various photographs, even excerpts from filmed reports or even a fiction film ("Un revenant", by Christian-Jaque, where Honegger makes an appearance alongside Louis Jouvet). The visit of a composer friend, Jacques Ibert, also breaks the monotony. As for the finale, an excerpt from "Jeanne au bûcher", it brings this precious document to a highly emotional close.
Georges Rouquier has made with this film a witness, fixing on film the last lights of an eclectic and passionate composer, who worked in collaboration with the greatest, Cocteau, Claudel, Giraudoux. Valéry, among others. Let him be thanked for that.
The result is a precious document, in which Honegger expresses himself, within the four walls of his apartment on the Boulevard de Clichy, on his life, his career, his conception of art and music, the mystery of composition, and his vision of the contemporary world.
Knowing that most of the 40 minutes of the projection consists of a monologue by Honegger, one could fear a tedious experience but, given that the composer expresses himself with clarity and vivacity, without any pedantry, boredom is not part of the story. Especially since Georges Rouquier regularly illustrates the musician's words with the help of various photographs, even excerpts from filmed reports or even a fiction film ("Un revenant", by Christian-Jaque, where Honegger makes an appearance alongside Louis Jouvet). The visit of a composer friend, Jacques Ibert, also breaks the monotony. As for the finale, an excerpt from "Jeanne au bûcher", it brings this precious document to a highly emotional close.
Georges Rouquier has made with this film a witness, fixing on film the last lights of an eclectic and passionate composer, who worked in collaboration with the greatest, Cocteau, Claudel, Giraudoux. Valéry, among others. Let him be thanked for that.