At the Royal Festival Hall, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra delivered a bold and accessible presentation of Olivier Messiaen’s Turangalîla Symphony as part of the Multitudes Festival. Conducted by Vasily Petrenko, with soloists Steven Osborne and Cécile Lartigau, this was a performance that made a complex work feel surprisingly approachable.
As someone who does not regularly attend classical concerts, the evening could easily have felt impenetrable. However, Petrenko’s introduction set the tone perfectly. His clear and engaging explanation of the piece, along with a brief insight into the more unusual instruments, immediately brought the audience in and removed any sense of intimidation.
The addition of animation from 1927 was a masterstroke. The visuals, following a loosely defined narrative, worked in harmony with the music rather than distracting from it. At times light hearted and even humorous, they provided an accessible way into a piece that might otherwise feel abstract.
Musically, the performance itself was striking. The orchestra moved confidently between moments of overwhelming intensity and quieter, more reflective passages. The distinctive sound of the ondes Martenot added an almost otherworldly layer, while the piano anchored the piece with clarity and drive.
For those new to classical music, this proved an ideal introduction. It was engaging, imaginative, and at times unexpectedly entertaining, demonstrating that even the most complex works can feel immediate and enjoyable when presented with care.
Review by Ryan Collins
Imagine an explosion of love on a cosmic scale. Mix in some 1940s Hollywood glamour, a pounding rhythmic workout and the sounds of a Javanese gamelan, and then wash it all in blissful impressionist colours.
Now add a huge orchestra, a world-class pianist and a vintage electronic instrument straight out of science fiction, and you’re still not even halfway to imagining Messiaen’s mind-boggling Turangalîla-Symphonie. Nearly 80 years after its premiere, it still sounds like nothing on Earth.
Turangalîla: Infinite Love
Royal Festival Hall
23 April 2026
Part of the Southbank Centre’s Multitudes Festival
