Sir Simon Rattle: Turangalîla & Betsy Jolas

Sir Simon Rattle ends his final Barbican concert as LSO Music Director with Messiaen’s mind-blowing Turangalîla-Symphonie – an explosion of passionate emotion and ear-tingling sound.

The Programme

Imagine a starburst of love on a cosmic scale. Now add a colossal orchestra, an unstoppable pianist and a vintage electronic instrument straight out of science fiction, and you’re still not even half-way to imagining Messiaen’s mind-boggling Turangalîla-Symphonie. Betsy Jolas’ music is more understated – but it still packs a tremendous emotional punch.

The Performers

So what happier way for Sir Simon Rattle to bring down the curtain on his years as Music Director of the LSO, before he takes up the role of Conductor Emeritus? He’s joined by two of his oldest musical friends – pianist Peter Donohoe and ondes-martenot player Cynthia Millar – who also happen to be two of Messiaen’s supreme living interpreters. And with a new work from Betsy Jolas, he’s going out as he came in, with one eye fixed confidently on the future.

‘Joy in the blood of the stars’ – Olivier Messiaen

Generously supported by the Sir Joseph Hotung Charitable Settlement

Filmed for future broadcast on Marquee TV and Mezzo, and recorded for future broadcast on BBC Radio 3

Betsy Jolas’ Ces belles années… is presented with the support of Diaphonique, Franco-British fund for classical contemporary music in partnership with the SACEM, the Friends of the French Institute Trust, the British Council, the Institut français, the Institut français du Royaume-Uni, the Centre national de la musique, Creative Scotland and the Salabert Fondation.

Header Image © Mark Allan