BaL 26.05.12/25.02.23 - Messiaen: Turangalila Symphony

[Petrushka]

I have great affection for this piece as it was after a Manchester performance of Turangalila in 1978 that I went backstage and met Messiaen and Loriod. Any other boarders there? Free Trade Hall on Feb 21 1978 and broadcast the following evening on R3.

The Previn set was my introduction to the work but the BBCMM disc with Thierry Fischer is better than any - a fantastic disc that should be issued commercially.

[Bryn]

Bryn: mine is a double LP gatefold too, but describes itself as IPG GRANDS CLASSIQUES. Is this a 'third way'? The recording sounds slightly 60s-ish but there's no serious distortion IIRC.

Mine has no "IPG" but does carry the <<GRANDS CLASSIQUES>> logo. It also has the DECCA logo. The catalogue number is 117.013/14. '60s sound, yes, but better than that on the CD issues from the same master tapes.

[LeMartinPecheur]

Mine has no "IPG" but does carry the <<GRANDS CLASSIQUES>> logo. It also has the DECCA logo. The catalogue number is 117.013/14. '60s sound, yes, but better than that on the CD issues from the same master tapes.

Yep, same catalogue no.

My cover picture is of OM, with three slim books in his left mitt, looking R to L in front of a very out-of-focus blue/brown rocky ridges sort of background.

[Beef Oven]

Although I also have the Chailly, Previn and Wit versions, this one is still my favourite.

Same here (Ozawa). Chung great too!

[makropulos]

I have great affection for this piece as it was after a Manchester performance of Turangalila in 1978 that I went backstage and met Messiaen and Loriod. Any other boarders there? Free Trade Hall on Feb 21 1978 and broadcast the following evening on R3.

The Previn set was my introduction to the work but the BBCMM disc with Thierry Fischer is better than any - a fantastic disc that should be issued commercially.

Memories! I was at that Free Trade Hall concert and Messiaen signed my score afterwards.
I agree about Thierry Fischer/Muraro?Tchamkerten/BBC NOW - that was a terrific performance.

As for a CD version, I'm very fond of Chung's recording - and I heard him give a live performance at the Châtelet in 2002 that was even better.

[Don Petter]

The Le Roux is also available from Presto Classical, though the transfer is abysmal. It really needs a proper remastered release:

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/w/5...Ela-Symphony/2

I presume this transfer, on a 7 CD set, is the same as on the single Accord CD which I have (465 802-2).

I have the old gatefold Decca LP set (117 113/4) as well, but that is boxed up somewhere 'safe'.

[amateur51]

Memories! I was at that Free Trade Hall concert and Messiaen signed my score afterwards.
I agree about Thierry Fischer/Muraro?Tchamkerten/BBC NOW - that was a terrific performance.

WOW!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

That certainly is "Wow".

I first heard the work at the same venue approximately 10 years earlier. It was the only item in the concert. I was a bit too green to appreciate it.

[Petrushka]

Memories! I was at that Free Trade Hall concert and Messiaen signed my score afterwards.
I agree about Thierry Fischer/Muraro?Tchamkerten/BBC NOW - that was a terrific performance.

As for a CD version, I'm very fond of Chung's recording - and I heard him give a live performance at the Châtelet in 2002 that was even better.

Yes, both Messiaen and Loriod signed and dated my programme. I count it amongst the most significant moments of my musical life.

[amateur51]

Tes, both Messiaen and Loriod signed and dated my programme.

:boggler::boggler:

I've got Arthur Negus' autograph somewhere

[makropulos]

I presume this transfer, on a 7 CD set, is the same as on the single Accord CD which I have (465 802-2).

I have the old gatefold Decca LP set (117 113/4) as well, but that is boxed up somewhere 'safe'.

Yes, I'm pretty sure it's the same transfer - certainly all the same problems. The rest of that 7-disc set is superb, which makes the Turangalîla transfer all the more frustrating. Hopefully Accord (or someone else) will do it properly one of these days.

As an aside, the nice interview with Messiaen that came on a 10-inch extra disc in the original Véga set (in the reddish-pink silk box) was reissued too - on a compilation set for the centenary (but I can't put my hands on it at the moment).

[Don Petter]

I've got Arthur Negus' autograph somewhere

'A highly desirable item', I'm sure ... have you got cabriole legs as well?

[amateur51]

'A highly desirable item', I'm sure ... have you got cabriole legs as well?

Oh yes ... " can you see there, how some man, a craftsman clearly, has worked and worked those legs and turned it beautifully with little lion's paws feet"

When I went home wearing my first pair of flared jeans my mother enquired "And what are they?"

"They're flares Mum!"

"Yes but your legs flare the other way!"

Arthur never said that

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wgM2CQsXVY

Arthur does his furniture thang on a Hepplewhite chair from 04:27

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn5GAmLoWdo&feature=relmfu

[BBMmk2]

I saw Rattle conduct this I am sure at a Brighton Festival concert with the CBSO and they also performed Wagner's Tristan& Isolde P & L. I first bought the Previn setwhich I ayed to death and then I purchased Rattle's version c/w The End of Time Quartet. A very satisfying listening.

[Serial_Apologist]

Yes, I'm pretty sure it's the same transfer - certainly all the same problems. The rest of that 7-disc set is superb, which makes the Turangalîla transfer all the more frustrating. Hopefully Accord (or someone else) will do it properly one of these days.

Totally agree, as the Le Roux remains for me the best performance of the work as far as my taste buds are concerned: he takes the work at a smart pace, never overdoing the demogagics, and downplays the slush.

(As an aside, Maurice Le Roux was a very interesting composer too - not that you'd know if Radio 3 had been your guide. Surely ORTF have some recordings they'd lend the Beeb?)