Pacific 231
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Pacific 231 is an orchestral work by Arthur Honegger, written in 1923. It is one of his most frequently performed works today.
The popular interpretation of the piece is that it depicts a steam locomotive, an interpretation that is supported by the title of the piece. Honegger, however, insisted 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 after it was finished.
Nonetheless, 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."
A 1949 French award-winning film, Pacific 231, directed by Jean Mitry, used the orchestral work as the sound track for a tribute to the steam locomotive, and included incredible close-up footage of driving wheels, running gear and railroad operations, mostly taken at speed, and cut/choreographed to the music.
The Pacific is a class of steam locomotive usually designated as a 4-6-2, with four pilot wheels, six driving wheels, and two trailing wheels. The French, who count axles rather than wheels when describing locomotives, call this arrangement 2-3-1. The title reflects the French description of the axle arrangement, not the number of the locomotive.
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.
