Underskog

Philharmonia Orchestra
Resident at Southbank Centre

Thursday 7 February 2008, 7.30pm

Olivier Messiaen Turangalila-symphonie

Esa-Pekka Salonen conductor
Pierre-Laurent Aimard piano
Cynthia Millar ondes Martenot

Olivier Messiaen’s vast Turangalila-symphonie is one of the most inspiring pieces ever written, requiring an orchestra of colossal dimensions and a large array of tuned percussion. The work’s eclectic mix of influences range from the Wagnerian themes of transcendent love from the Tristan legend, the bell-like sonorities of Javanese gamelan, Hindu rhythms, Impressionist harmonies and birdsong melodies, to the jazzy Gershwin-like elements that wouldn’t be out of place in a Hollywood musical. One of the distinctive features of the work is its use of the ondes martenot, an electronic instrument providing unique glissandi effects, which in this instance, give an ethereal and delicate quality to an otherwise explosive sound-world.

Please note there is no interval in this programme and the performance ends at approximately 9pm.