Today's choice of music was governed by a recent purchase in Blackcat Records in Taunton. Messiaen's Turangalila Symphony was something I studied at school for 'A' level music, but I don't think I've listened to it since then, so it was a real treat to find this in the shop.
The symphony was written between 1946 and 1948 for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and was first performed on 2 December 1949. Being a "modern" symphony, rather than the traditional 4 movements, it is in 10 movements, and has a substantial part for piano.
There are many recurring themes in the piece, some of which sound like birdsong, and include the statue theme, the flower theme, the love theme etc.. As with many pieces of the era, much use is made of what were then unusual percussion instruments, in particular the ondes martenot.
This is a stunning piece of music which can really lift the spirits!
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