The only symphony from the pen of the visionary French composer Olivier Messiaen (1908–1992), the Turangalîla-Symphonie was commissioned is a hugely sensuous, exuberant work, in ten movements and lasting some 80 minutes. A kind of sonic journey through love, joy, time and eternity, it features a heady mix of musical forms and schools: Modernism, surrealism, exoticism and, in its more emotional moments, something akin to peak Romanticism.
The Turangalîla-Symphonie is also known for its use of the extraordinary ondes Martenot, one of classical music’s most deliciously idiosyncratic instruments. Here’s a brief sample of the instrument’s ghostly sound:
When was the Turangalîla-Symphonie composed?
Messiaen composed the work between in 1946 and 1948. It was a commission from conductor Serge Koussevitzky for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, one of America’s famous ‘Big Five‘ orchestras.
The premiere of the work was conducted not by Koussevitzky, however. He was unwell at the time, so the great Leonard Bernstein who led the Boston Symphony in a performance on 2 December 1949. He then conducted the work’s New York premiere eight days later on 10 December. It wasn’t quite in Bernstein’s wheelhouse – he was, after all, better known for his performances of Wagner, Beethoven, Schumann and others – and he never again conducted the Turangalîla-Symphonie.
The piano soloist for those first performances was Yvonne Loriod, who later married the composer. Ginette Martenot played the ondes Martenot for many early performances of the work: later, however, Yvonne’s sister Jeanne Loriod played the instrument on many performances and recordings.
What is it about?
Messiaen described the Turangalîla as ‘a love song; a hymn to joy’, and noted that that joy is ‘superhuman, overflowing, blinding, unlimited'”‘. The work is in ten movements, and Messiaen indicated that across these there are four major themes that constantly reappear. The statue theme is introduced by trombones and tuba and evokes a sense of dread (Messiaen linked it to ancient Mexican monuments).
The flower theme is introduced by two clarinets and evokes love. It is later taken up at different times by different combinations of instruments including, in the Finale, a full orchestral workout.
Turangalîla-Symphonie best recording
There are fine performances of Turangalîla in the catalogue. We especially like the recording featuring the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Juanjo Mena. The soloists are pianist Steven Osborne and Cynthia Millar on the ondes martenot. These two are the soloists for Prom 15 at the 2024 BBC Proms.
Here’s our review of the Bergen Phil disc. And here’s a link to buy it on Amazon: