The symphony is one of the best known outings for the ondes Martenot, that ghostly sounding proto-synthesizer invented in the late 1920s. Played here by rare instrument specialist Robert Bloch, the theremin-like sweeps of the ondes first make their presence felt in the second section, or first Chant d'amour. It's also used as one of the main melodic instruments in the Joie du sang des etoiles section.
Throughout, the rest of the orchestra whirls around in great multicolour shades (Messiaen was apparently a synesthete) and four central themes weave in and out at various points. Listening to the 80 minute work for me is like hearing an early form of psychedelia - it's a long, strange trip, but an absolutely beautiful one. The shimmering wonder of L'ascension, four meditations for orchestra (1932-3), which fills out the second CD, has a similar effect despite being an earlier work and more rooted in Messiaen's spiritual ouevre - a different recording can be found here.
Disc 1 link
Disc 2 link
what key?
ReplyDeleteDo you mean the symphony, what key it's in? From what I've read, there's only a couple of sections with a clear tonal centre: the Joie de sang (Db) and the finale (F#). The rest - who knows...
DeleteWas curious about this one on the Naxos label. I think them being a budget label many people might given them not enough respect (including me), however, I think they've recorded a lot of interesting things these days.
ReplyDeleteThey've really carved out a niche, haven't they. Got a George Crumb disc in their American series, which will be making an appearance here in a few weeks.
DeleteSorry to ask but are these files downloadable or do they have to be played online?
ReplyDeleteAll downloadable - the links go to Google Drive links.
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