Brussels Philharmonic & Kazushi Ono

‘The Turangalîla Symphony is a love song, a hymn to a superhuman, overwhelming, blinding and boundless joy. Love is fatal, irresistible, all-transcending...’ wrote Olivier Messiaen. Together with Harawi and Cinq rechants, his ten-movement Turangalîla Symphony is part of a Tristan trilogy from 1945-49. In these three compositions eternal love – symbolised by the story of Tristan and Isolde – is central. Messiaen pulls out all the stops, with a large orchestra, a substantial, almost solo piano part and the integration of the exotic and unearthly sound of the ondes Martenot, one of the earliest electronic instruments. Messiaen’s ode to all-consuming love is an impressive contribution to the symphonic repertoire.