Concert | Berlin-based Orchestras

Berliner Philharmoniker / Sir Simon Rattle

Wagner’s Tristan, and Messiaen’s Turangalîla Symphony, evoke emotions ranging from intimacy to ecstasy; from a shiver to an explosion of joy. Their topic is love – unconditional; all-transcending, all-overrunning; and far too big for this world. Messiaen celebrates it as a cosmic event. He emphasises this through the title taken from the Sanskrit: »Turanga – that is time, that hastens away, that is rhythm and movement. Lîla is the play of creation, destruction and recreation – the play of life and death. Lîla also means love. Turangalîla is a song of love and a hymn of joy; is time, movement, rhythm, life and death« – music overcoming gravity.

Concert Programme

Richard Wagner [1813–1883]
Tristan und Isolde [1856–59]
Prelude and Liebestod [orchestra version]

Olivier Messiaen [1908–1992]
Turangalîla Symphony [1946–48/1990]
Introduction – Chant d’amour I – Turangalîla I – Chant d’amour II
Joie du sang des étoiles – Jardin du sommeil d’amour – Turangalîla II
Développement de l’amour – Turangalîla III – Final

Cast

Pierre-Laurent Aimardpiano
Tristan Murailondes martenot

Berliner Philharmoniker
Sir Simon Rattleconductor

An event of the Stiftung Berliner Philharmoniker in cooperation with the musikfest berlin | Berliner Festspiele