CDXLIV. MESSIAEN, Olivier: Turangalîla Symphony

CDXLIV. MESSIAEN, Olivier (1908-1992)

Turangalîla Symphony (1946-48)
1. Introduction
2. Chant d'amour
3. Turangalîla
4. Chant d'amour 2
5. Joie du sang des étoiles
6. Jardin du sommeil d'amour
7. Turangalîla 2
8. Développement d'amour
9. Turangalîla 3
10. Final
Jean Yves Thibaudet, piano
Valerie Hartmann-Claverie (Ondes Martenot)
Verbier Festival Orchestra
Charles Dutoit, cond.
[scrolling score]
(1:11:47)

The title is derived from two Sanskrit words, turanga and līlā.

"'Lîla' literally means play -- but play in the sense of the divine action upon the cosmos, the play of creation, destruction, reconstruction, the play of life and death. 'Lila' is also love. 'Turanga': this is the time that runs, like a galloping horse; this is the time that flows, like sand in an hourglass. 'Turanga' is movement and rhythm. 'Turangalîla' therefore means all at once love song, hymn to joy, time, movement, rhythm, life and death." -- OM

Themes 

1. 0:00:33: Introduced by trombones and tuba, this is the statue theme. It has the oppressive, terrible brutality of ancient Mexican monuments, and evokes dread. It is played at a slow tempo, pesante.
   
   
   
   
   
2. 0:02:22: This is the flower theme, introduced by two clarinets.
   
   

   

   
   
3. 0:35:11: This theme -- the most important -- is the love theme. It appears in different guises, from hushed strings (movement 6), to full orchestral treatment in the climax of the finale.
   
   

   

   
   
4. A simple chain of chords, used to produce opposing chords on the piano and crossing counterpoints in the orchestra. 
   
   

   

   
   

Structure