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.
Great to hear from you, Jim! :) I was just listening to Honegger's 'Cantate de Noel' around Christmastime and was also struck by the similarities in spirit with the contemporaneous Damase Symphonie - both compositions begin ominously but conclude on a note of uplifting radiance. Honegger had a real knack for effective "darkness-to-light" progressions in his compositions - not only in the "Cantate de Noel' and 2nd Symphony, but in the terribly moving coda of the 3rd Symphony, which serves as a benediction after all the darkness and anger that has come before it. Interesting that you mention Rorem - I see the stylistic connection now that you mention it! I really like his three symphonies, especially no. 1 which has a Gallic elegance suffused with a quintessentially American spirit.