Arthur Honegger was a Swiss composer born in Le Havre, France, who spent much of his life in Paris. He is often associated with Les Six, a group of composers, but his music is distinct. Honegger’s style is serious and large-scale, featuring strong structures and deep emotional expression. He is known for blending Bach-like counterpoint with driving rhythms and powerful orchestration. His harmony is rich and sometimes impressionistic, and he explored tonality, atonality, and polytonality, prioritising communication over trends. Some of his most famous works include Pacific 231, inspired by a steam locomotive, and Le Roi David, which established his international reputation. His dramatic oratorio, Jeanne d’Arc au bûcher, is highly regarded. Symphony No. 2 reflects the wartime atmosphere, while Symphonie liturgique, written after World War II, is a significant post-war statement. Honegger studied in Zurich and at the Paris Conservatoire. Despite health issues later in life, he continued to compose until the early 1950s, leaving a lasting impact on 20th-century music.