I find that beneath its Gallic elegance, the Damase Symphonie is a work of some depth and eloquence, not least in the struggle between light and dark in the first movement (when the light finally breaks through around 8 minutes in with the horn entrance it is such a glorious moment!!) and in the poignant lyricism of the second. I am occasionally reminded of Poulenc in the work, but more often of Honegger (in less abrasive mode) and some English composers (RVW, Bax, Rubbra), but, like I mentioned before, Damase has his own voice. BTW, it was Jeffrey (vandermolen) who initially recommended the work to me, so major hat tip to him! :)
Welcome back Kyle (I had an unfinished Atterberg thread when you left). I concur with you re this piece, thanks for the recommendation. As a long time devotee of Honegger symphonies from the 70s supraphon vinyl days, I warmed to it right away. There is something of the care-fee quality of S4, 'Deliciae Basilienses', the chorale that is the summation of S2, and the sunlight breaking through the clouds towards the end of 'Cantate de Noel' (composed 52/53!) that is akin to the spirit of the end of the first movement of this Damase Symphonie. As well as other French composers, interestingly, I hear a touch of Honegger's pupil Ned Rorem.
