Messiaen, January 24

[Alain Maréchal]

I have just listened to a majestic performance of Visions de l'Amen given by M. et Mme Aimard. At the conclusion the audience withheld applause for a long space. This was fortunate because when I listen again I can switch off before the idiotic loud and insistent whistlng commences.

[MrGongGong]

Wonderful performance of an extraordinary piece

[DracoM]

Totally agree - amazing. Technically demanding, but also engaging listening.

[umslopogaas]

Just got out my CD set of the complete Messiaen (at least, all that DG know about) and am playing Visions de L'Amen. Wonderful stuff and as played by Yvonne Loriod and Olivier Messiaen, it could hardly be better.

[LeMartinPecheur]

I have just listened to a majestic performance of Visions de l'Amen given by M. et Mme Aimard. At the conclusion the audience withheld applause for a long space. This was fortunate because when I listen again I can switch off before the idiotic loud and insistent whistlng commences.

Alain: I listened to the concert but didn't notice the whistling. Whistling in England (UK?) is an ambiguous signal. It can indicate derision but it can also indicate very great approval. I would think it was the latter here - the days for deriding Messiaen are surely long gone. As Visions was the major work in the programme I would be very surprised if anyone bought a ticket in ignorance of the idiom they would hear.

[BBMmk2]

I have just listened to a majestic performance of Visions de l'Amen given by M. et Mme Aimard. At the conclusion the audience withheld applause for a long space. This was fortunate because when I listen again I can switch off before the idiotic loud and insistent whistlng commences.

Thanks for the heads up Alain. I love this work quite a lot and with these artists playing, be worthwhile the hear on catch up. Many thanks.

[Alain Maréchal]

Thanks for the heads up Alain. I love this work quite a lot and with these artists playing, be worthwhile the hear on catch up. Many thanks.

I made a point of listening to it live (other radio stations are available) and I am pleased I did. (or did listen - see pedants forum). The loud whistling was from an over-enthusiastic member of the audience, but it was annoying, and I believe that firmly bringing the palms of the hands together, though in itself a ridiculous thing to do, adequately conveys appreciation.

ps the sound of the pianos was excellently conveyed by the broadcast.

[BBMmk2]

I made a point of listening to it live (other radio stations are available) and I am pleased I did. (or did listen - see pedants forum). The loud whistling was from an over-enthusiastic member of the audience, but it was annoying, and I believe that firmly bringing the palms of the hands together, though in itself a ridiculous thing to do, adequately conveys appreciation.

ps the sound of the pianos was excellently conveyed by the broadcast.

Thank you. I find too tht the loud whistling in these circumstances is rather annoying as well!

[EdgeleyRob]

Listened this morning.
I'd like to add a word of praise for the Brahms too,good to hear it in it's sonata for 2 piano guise and performed brilliantly.
The audience paused just long enough for the reverberation on the last chord of the Messiaen to die away before applauding
Wasn't so much the whistling that bothered me having been pre warned by the OP,but the guy shouting out as soon as all was silent made me jump,being so entranced in the music.

[Serial_Apologist]

Missed this, to me, obvious but magnificent homage to Debussy's "Cathédrale engloutie"; I wonder what the chance is of it being repeated.

[Bryn]

Missed this, to me, obvious but magnificent homage to Debussy's "Cathédrale engloutie"; I wonder what the chance is of it being repeated.

As often as you like for the next 29 days.

[Serial_Apologist]

As often as you like for the next 29 days.

I guess the iPlayer will have to suffice.

[Bryn]

I guess the iPlayer will have to suffice.

Suffice? The 320kbps aac on offer there is far better than the 'live' FM or DAB broadcasts of last night, and with the aid of get_iplayer, Yamb and Mp3DirectCut you can even lose the yelps, whistles and claps at the end.

[Serial_Apologist]

Suffice? The 320kbps aac on offer there is far better than the 'live' FM or DAB broadcasts of last night, and with the aid of get_iplayer, Yamb and Mp3DirectCut you can even lose the yelps, whistles and claps at the end.

Fair enough. Just put my sentiments down to those of a sentimental old twit preferring listening to his stereo system in the comforts of his living room, in company if possible, while fm still exists, to here in front of the computer screen. But never mind...

[BBMmk2]

Just caught up with this. Truly and utterly amazing concert. Indeed, what a pity about the that man yelling his head off at the end, but at least there was some silence at the end before the applause began!!