Messiaen - Turangalîla Symphonie - 1st Movt - Aimard, Davis

[sandytheslayer]

What an erotic, yet chilling, piece of music!

[JONNOG88]

Fry, play the rest of it. I want to hear how it ends.

[simonwest1977]

sooo not a fan of this piece..

[BlueCougar]

@simonwest1977 And you are not a fan of it so much that you looked it up and took the time to comment on it?

[90tomyboy]

There are 2 keyboardinstruments at 3:25, what are they, a celesta, and...?

[BlueCougar]

@90tomyboy the other one is a keyboard glockenspiel.

[TheCreator4]

Brayvo! Brayvo! Enncore

[fremsley001]

@Goose4Lu71. Yes indeed. And George's influence didn't stop there. Scholars now believe Messiaen's 1963 work Couleurs de la Cité Céleste was inspired by Formby's catchphrase "It's turned out nice again, hasn't it?"

[MBclms]

wow this is really majestic performance.. unbeatable.. bravooo

[johnpaddie]

Is the lady keyboardist playing some kind of theremin?

[Enantiodromialist]

@johnpaddie It's called the ondes Martenot (literally "Martenot waves", after the inventor), invented in 1928, and it was indeed the next development of electronic instruments after the theremin. The type of electrical sound production is the same I think, the ondes Martonet introduces new means of controlling the pitch (the keyboard and the ring/ribbon-thingey-whatever thing).

[WolfWarriorLykos]

@johnpaddie ondes martenot

[Archpope]

Your music's bad and you should feel bad!

[fremsley001]

Parts of the Turangalila Symphony were originally written for "By George!", a 1945 Broadway musical portraying the life of the Lancashire-born, ukelele-playing comic singer George Formby. For example, the fully developed 8-note sequence of the Statue Theme was sung to the words of "My Grandad's Flannelette Night Shirt". Koussivitsky saw its potential and asked Messiaen to expand it into a larger-scale orchestral piece. The rest, as they say, is history.

[paulybarr]

@fremsley001 Hahaha! That's very funny- thankyou!

[Goose4Lu71]

@fremsley001 That's correct. In fact, "Turangalila" can be roughly translated from Sanskrit to mean 'the post I lean from (until a lady walks by). It all makes sense now.

[kevycanavan]

Am I right in thinking that the Celesta part in this is being played on piano?

[Ivelostmyway42]

thanks jonny . <3

[1osta]

I like him!

[7Beyonder]

Frank Zappa stole huge chunks of this piece for "200 Motels. That's how I got into it.

[Tengent]

And this is a youth orchestra.. wow. I'm going to go practice bassoon..

[juanmaMCMLXXXII]

Where are the other movements? only 1st and 5th? I need more

[Dionysosable]

What an incredible symphony !!!! a Mamut work , bý a big Genius of the 20th Century.

A truly unique work in any kind heard before. Great Performance.

[zacharia644]

Amazing piece & great ensemble! - Throughout! Are there other vids of this group?

. .. and what else was on the program??. .. albeit this is an exhausting piece, no doubt at about 50mins, eh? thanks for posting this!! More info please on the youth orch etc. .. much appreciated! Masterful composition & performance! From great kids!!

[exitmusicforthefilms]

oh this is delightfully mad

[Cloud2424]

i Was brought here by Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead :0

[zatarim89]

Many congratulation....

[zatarim89]

Many concratulation...

[jwf3148]

Messiaen's sound is to typically powerful and otherworldly - a wonderful excerpt from a wonderful performance of a wonderful composition...thank you...

[stevkh5]

dannydawriter you're a fucking idiot. Futurama is by far one of the funniest and most intelligent animated shows to come around in a long time. Yes, I know, everyone has different tastes, but that just doesn't apply to Futurama ;) Also, yes Messiaen is a good composer, but I don't see how naming a character in a show after one of his well-known works is an insult. Did you actually speak to him about Futurama? Did he actually tell you that he dislikes a character being named for his symphony?

[oodoodanoo]

This sounds like the soundtrack to a Chuck Jones cartoon. I keep expecting to hear falling anvils and explosions.

[DeceitfulDestiny]

@oodoodanoo Hah! So true--and here I was expecting a typical musical masterpiece. Kinda disappointed to be honest.

[zectofrazer]

@oodoodanoo that was just what I was thinking

[XieYali]

3:18 - That was used as Maleficent's theme from Disney's Sleeping Beauty.  This symphony was written in 1948 and I believe Sleeping Beauty was 1959.

[dragmio]

I don't know who is worse, the guy complaining about Matt Groening naming a character after this or the guy saying that the quality of music is subjective. Where does this need for extremes come from?

[ShiningBlade90]

De gustibus non est disputandum.

[nyarlotep]

This is all wrong, everyone knows that the Turangalîla Symphonie should be played on the Holophonor....

[WithACynicalSmile]

@nyarlotep yeah!

[zectofrazer]

@nyarlotep just like the grumpy slug

[rednotes]

ah! its an army of french horns!

[RhysIsKindaCool]

Futurama....

[crankyanker157]

i like it - but i don't like it

[sebastianblack96]

How fast? How fast!!!

[Caleb5617]

believe it or not, this influenced leela's name from futurama.

Her full name - Turanga Leela

[jre58591]

True. That is because Matt Groening, the creator, is a Messiaen fan.

[cunt1234cunt]

wow

i wouldnt have worked that out otherwise

cheers for your wisdom!

[FliegendeHollaender]

@jre58591

I have a newfound respect for him!

[jmzhn]

@jre58591

I didnt know! Caraca, muito phoda!

[DannyDaWriter]

I'm going to get marked down for this quite heavily, but I really believe that Groening's reference is an extreme insult. We shouldn't pay tribute to Messiaen, one of the greatest composers of the 20th century, in this manner...

[maxrutc09]

I wouldn't call it a tribute...more of an inside-reference

[DrLegume]

Pull your head out of your ass, you snooty douche. It's just music, and the fact that it's quality is subjective means that it is no better or worse than a 'bad cartoon'; your attitude only shows you to be a conformist wanker....frankly, this music sounds like the background music for Captain Kirk fighting a guy in a rubber monster suit.

[MusicaRicercata]

I can't say I agree with the opinion of the person you're arguing, but your conduct was uncalled for.

Beside, how would his opinion make him a "conformist wanker"? I'm quite sure his opinion does not resonate well with the rest of the Messiaen community, and your characterisation of this music is also uneducated as well.

[DrLegume]

He's a conformist wanker because he's speaking as if this music is something sacred and unsoilable by common box apes, parroting the attitudes of a zillion other art snobs. My characterization of this music isn't uneducated. It is just not fettered by the silver ribbons of effete asshats. The plain fact is, it's JUST MUSIC.  If you did a little reseach, you'd probably find the same music's been used to sell Tampax or Oldsmobiles.

[MusicaRicercata]

I would advice you do a bit more research of the people you wish to attack before you make such strong accusations. The first thing I see when I open his profile is Frank Zappa's debate on American television concerning lyric censorship, along with a video of George Carlin and a fair lot of "plebeian" entertainment. I don't think he's the "conformist wanker" you kindly ascribe.

[MusicaRicercata]

As far as your characterisation goes, it IS ineducated. I take no issue with Captain Kirk, but I think using this music to describe said is ignorance of the profundity of the work. I wouldn't take issue if you were to use, say, a work by Xenakis or Stockhausen to describe a battle (since their works are genuinely charged and are appropriate), but I think you greatly misunderstand the purpose of the Turangalîla.

[fcmilsweeper9]

@MusicaRicercata "ineducated."

[MusicaRicercata]

What do you mean to imply? That my opinion is entirely negated on the account of a typo? You're successful at pulling a red herring, but from this point on anything you say I will not take into consideration with any sincerity.

Now can we all shut up and just enjoy the music? This bickering does nothing to contribute to the enjoyment of this wonderful work. Everyone shut up about such trivial nonsense, and let's enjoy Turangalîla.

[MusicaRicercata]

*uneducated

Because people love to go insane over trivial typos.

[principalbass]

Dickhead.

[Caleb5617]

It's a successful animated sitcom, yes it's crude, but at least they're paying tribute... Sadly, most people don't even know who Messiaen is.

[blanith]

Call me an uncultured swine, but I only know about this because of the reference. Is it better to not be heard or to be heard of because of a pop culture reference?

[zectofrazer]

@Caleb5617 oh geez ur right

[ShevanelSaeglopur]

@Caleb5617 Oh my fucking god.

My mind=DESTROYED

[stefanpalen96]

@ShevanelSaeglopur I can agree with that

[CoollrThnU]

I swear I've heard this on Looney Toons haha

[fcmilsweeper9]

This sounds like it could be placed in 'The Shinning' when the guy goes crazy with the axe. I mean that in the best way possible.

[777cc777]

Bartók's Music for strings percussion and celeste = in the shining ;)

[fcmilsweeper9]

LOL it is?????

[777cc777]

yeah! 3rd movement.

You can probably find it here on TY

an example of Bartók's so-called 'night music'

Enjoy!

(by the way ~ the whole thing is great ~ first mvmt is incredible)

and one more time:

Enjoy!

[darkxhino]

i agree ..!

[S4sando]

holy

...

shit

[TheRaoul76]

It makes me laugh when people call Messiaen a Catholic composer. Yeah, the Hindu title and emphasis on sensual love is so Catholic. So is that deranged carnival music at 4:19-6:20. I'm really feeling the Sacred Heart of Jesus, I'm sure that's JUST how the heavenly angels play music.

Messiaen is not a Catholic composer. He's a Vatican II composer. There's a difference.

[jre58591]

No, he IS a Catholic composer. This may not be one of the works that reflects that, but he was a hardcore Catholic, that is for sure. Listen to La Transfiguration de Notre Seigneur Jesus Christ (or something along those lines) and you'll know how much of a Catholic composer he was.

[TimboBandit]

You're right, Messiaen was a roman Catholic and a composer, AND wrote music for the Church, therefore making him a Catholic composer by any stretch of the definition.

However, just to be a stickler, I want to point out that plenty of athiest composers have written music for the Church too. Writing religious music doesn't necessarily make one a religious composer; but in Messiaen's case, he was.

[croscream]

Your not feeling the hearth of jesus or else you would show more humility and understanding.

[Saxation1]

@TheRaoul76 actually, most of messian's stuff was composed before Vatican II, right (including this piece, which was composed from 1946-1948). He was very interested in ethnomusicology; as a result, decided to spice up his pieces with exotic elements such as the additive rhythms of indian music. The Catholic side of him comes into play when you hear plainchant inspiration in some of his other pieces. Remember, he was 20thcentury, so he was on the cutting edge and thus sounds more "out there".

[Saxation1]

@TheRaoul76 actually, most of messian's stuff was composed before Vt. II (including this piece, which was composed from 1946-1948). He was interested in ethnomusicology; as a result, decided to spice up his pieces with exotic elements such as additive rhythms of indian music. The Catholic side of him comes into play when you hear plainchant inspiration in some of his other pieces. Remember, he was 20thcentury, so he was on the cutting edge and thus sounds more "out there".

[Saxation1]

@TheRaoul76 actually, most of messian's stuff was composed before Vt. II (including this piece, which was composed from 1946-1948). He was interested in ethnomusicology; as a result, decided to spice up his pieces with exotic elements such as additive rhythms of indian music. The Catholic side of him comes into play when you hear plainchant inspiration in some of his other pieces. Remember, he was 20thcentury, so he was on the cutting edge and thus sounds more "out there".

[MaestroTJS]

@TheRaoul76 I don't know what you mean. This completely sounds like a natural evolution of Palestrina! The same grace and resolution of discord.

And can't you hear all the beautiful bird songs that we know Messiaen incorporated into his music? When I hear this (and other pieces by Messiaen, of course), I feel like I'm experiencing a lovely spring morning out in nature!

/sarcasm off

Someone called this the "Ninth Symphony" of the twentieth century. Now that's funny.

[krentistthedentist]

This is Jonny Greenwood's favorite piece of music, and he is a freakish genius so i decided to check it out.

[rorropiloto]

me too

[tfinnish]

ha same

[ouetlaplage]

haha.....snap

[rgxb2807]

you guys should check out Beethoven's 7th symphony or Verklärte Nacht by Schoenberg

[rgxb2807]

this was directed at the Johnny Greenwood fans, also add in early works by  penerecki.

[enakrium]

haha 2:54 or something is the riff from sound of music...."so long farewell"

[dazamaru]

im into this piece cause the late, great Frank Zappa once mentioned it....its phenomenal stuff

[esterfer]

he did? Where? when? Is it in the web? I'd like to see that, it's interesting.

[ThaSchwab]

I am enthralled by the low brass theme starting at 1:16.

[stuggsie]

Like everyone else, I love the bit at 4'19". The upper string writing makes them sound like a drunk singing Auld Lang Syne. Tremendous! Thanks for posting it.

[fpagliato]

wow, the musicians are really young, but can play so very well.

I had the opportunity to watch this symphonie live once... it's power is unbelievable... I went home as if I was walking on clouds.

[nisouminikkon]

i don't like the piano playing of PLA. he gives me the impression to listen to some good .MID virtual playing. Well done, hours of work for making some well done shapes. But not lot human breathing.

i would like some breath. Breathing, let the sound developping, let harmonies colours to be listened and visualisated.

i don't like machines to play some real instruments.

Sorry. i know PLA is famous, and he is working during hours and days.

But sentiments is not working.

[yumpingyiminy]

I understand where you're coming from, however the music of Messiaen is written such that a lot of what he wanted in the music is written in the score. Messiaen was such an excellent pianist that he knew what he wanted, so he wrote it!

[Xenofan29A]

Amazing stuff. I'm probably one of the few people who doesn't play an instrument or major in music in college yet loves Messiaen's music. I've heard this, Oiseaux Exotiques, his opera, Trois Petites Litergies, and the Quartet for the End of Time. The particular combinations of timbre and rhythm (along with harmony) that he uses fascinate me.

My tastes in music may not be particularly...refined in some areas, but I do enjoy a wide variety.

[Turanga1i1a]

Most amazing piece indeed! Very rewarding watching it live. I remember this was the first piece of Messiaen I heard. When I heard the strings shreik (that cue at 1:12), I thought YIKES!! The toning brass in parallel thirds along with it is known as the "Statue Theme". I always wondered why it's called so. Now I'm thinking maybe Messiaen thought of the magical petrifying transformation when one looks into the Medusa's eyes.

[jre58591]

Messiaen was actually thinking of the large Mexican monuments, such as the famous pyramids, when he wrote this.

[philomorphologian]

There is something magical about the effect. I agree. Messiaen used repeating, overlapping and inverting mathematical patterns; an extension of atonal music, which gives a more structured feel. But the textures and repetitions do have a slight hypnotic effect. Perhaps, we are back to the Aztecs, who knew about the changed mind. However, Messiaen was very much of this world and used clever techniques to allude to hypnotic states. After all, it is 'Love Music' and Love is like another world.

[LazyBastard69]

It's not the strings that shriek it's the ondes martinot.

[philomorphologian]

This is the best performace of the symphony I have heard - and it's a Youth Orchestra. Brilliant orchestra and direction.

[bigalrules55]

cool i have to study and research messiaens work for my music course at college, this is the first time ive ever listened to him - he's great!!!! quite unique also... good stuff

[jarbear]

Absolutely beautiful!

[jamesaellis]

i was very lucky to get the very last ticket dor the preformance this year at the proms. berlin phil. Rattle, Aimard, and Murile = wonderful nite! listen on bbc radio 3. 2nd of september cant wait. then his opera there on the sunday GOODIE!!!!

[cartmanapja]

omg too much voice for me!!!!!!!

[pnieuwla]

sometimes the copper section is a bit late and slow

[skezness]

now i know the origin of futurama's leela's name hehe...incredible music, it's almost 1 am so i'm not listening to it with a proper volume level...shame on me

[jamesaellis]

the bit in the midlle is atonsihgin.!!! caNT EVEN spell it right!!!!!!!¬

[iwanttowatchsomethin]

OMG!!!!!

[jamesaellis]

HOW INCREDILBY AMZAMING!!!

[gxfu0127]

how incredibly delicious.

[RodrigusVI]

Those little children are so good musicians its amazing :P

[jamesaellis]

Des anyons aux etioles is another great work by Messiaen. hope its at the proms this year!

[jre58591]

me too! i would love to see it televised. i saw a performance at the walt disney concert hall in LA in january. it is a work not to be missed!

[melpasculli]

Which NYO year was this?

[jre58591]

2001

[jamesaellis]

the 8 th id great lasts wonderful and the 7 also good.

[jamesaellis]

amazing

[youtert]

Turanga Leela!

[bezange]

dear god there are so many of them..

[juancillo]

.... the "ninth" of the XX century....

[jamesaellis]

stuunning!!! the part at 4:18 is really one of the most shocking things iv erver heard but i do love it

[golafs]

yes, i remember when I heard that section for the first time. pretty cool stuff! :)

[wesleyan97]

That was always my favorite part ;)

[yumpingyiminy]

This is such a good video!!!! Please please please please upload more movements!!!!! Especially the last one....haha. And number 8.

[jre58591]

i will only upload one more movement of this piece (i havent decided which yet [maybe the 8th]). i want people to buy it. check the 5th movt video for the place to buy it.

[yumpingyiminy]

oh i didnt know you could buy it! i will definitely buy it eventually :)