Messiaen: Turangalîla Symphony (CD Review)

by Karl Nehring 

Marc-André Hamelin, piano; Nathalie Forget, ondes Martenot; Toronto Symphony Orchestra; Gustavo Gimeno, conductor. Harmonia Mundi 905336

 

Those relatively new to classical music who may be unfamiliar with the Turangalîla Symphony.by the late French composer Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) are in for quite the ear- and mind-expanding experience when they first encounter this expansive, expressive, exhilarating 10-movement, 80-minute piece that is scored for piano, ondes Martenot, and orchestra. Nor may many music lovers reading this review be familiar with the ondes Martenot, an electronic instrument with a sound similar to that of a theremin (more information here ). In general, Messiaen blends the sounds of the ondes Martenot and the piano with the sound of the orchestra rather than featuring either instrument in a concerto-like fashion, even though in concert performance, both instruments take their place in front of the orchestra, as they would for a concerto. There are passages, however, where Hamelin, one of the world’s finest pianists, has some moments in the spotlight, and Forget on the ondes Martenot gets a few chances of her own to lead the proceedings briefly. There are moments that are boisterous, there are passages that are tender. In terms of size and spectacle, this symphony has some parallels to the works of Mahler, but Messiaen’s musical language is much different.  

 

Spanish-born conductor Gustavo Gimeno (b. 1976), who is the Music Director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, leads his assembled forces in a performance that never goes over the top. There were times when I might have wished for a bit more emotion and excitement; on the other hand, I could also appreciate hearing everything laid out clearly before me. Same for the sonics, which are clean and unexaggerated. My personal favorite recording for both performance and sound is the Wit on Naxos, a 2-CD release which also features an exciting orchestral version of Messian’s L’ascension – but has the distinct disadvantage of spreading the symphony onto two discs (advantage: streaming). The Chung on DG is a delightful performance with so-so sonics. All things considered, this new release from Toronto is a safe bet for those wishing to explore Messiaen’s grand musical testament of love.