Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992)
Information about the composer Olivier Messiaen and his symphonies.
A French composer and organist.
Symphonies:
Turangalîla Symphony
Messiaen's masterpiece, concerned with the themes of romantic love and death.
The work was written in 1946-48, and consists of ten movements.
RECOMMENDED RECORDINGS
Tortelier/Shelley/Hartmann-Claverie (Chandos CHAN9678)
Selected as first choice by BBC Radio 3's Building a Library, May 2002.
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Yan Pascal Tortelier.
Soloists: Howard Shelley (Piano), Valérie Hartmann-Claverie (Ondes-Martenot).
Chandos CHAN9678
Wit (Naxos 8.554478-79)
A first-class recording, faithful to Messiaen's score.
Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Antoni Wit, 1998.
Naxos 8.554478-79