French Composer Olivier Messiaen's Turangalila-symphonie Conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen

Olivier Messiaen's (b. France 1908-92) Turangalila-symphony is a resounding orchestration.  Written in 1946, the piece sounds contepmorary.  It evokes the genius of Gershwin & Stravinsky.  There is a progressive energy that resonates with vigor & jubilation.  The massive instrumentation placed heavy  emphasis on the percussive section:  Provencal drum, snare drum, bass drum, orchestra bells, vibraphone, temple blocks, wood block and Turkish cymbal.  In addition, the orchestra had a piano and several ondes martenots (electronic keyboard instruments.)  The piano solo was performed by award winning artist Yuja Wang (b. China 1987.)  Guest conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen (b. Finland 1957) led the NYPhil Orch. The ondes martenot solo is played by accomplished pianist & harpist Valerie Hartmann (b. France.)  Hartmann colloborated with Olivier Messian on the Saint Francois Opera d'Assise.  While both soloist play with fluidity & gusto, the drums were predominant.  The Provencal drummer was elevated above the stage and he's playing seemed at the core of the piece while the keyboards embellished the piece.  Messian's lively & whimsical piece (wood blocks, cymbals, maracas and tuba) was captivating.  I was seated among a group of 6-8th graders who were enraptured.  Several of the girls were seated forward in their seats & the young men kept time with their bodies.  Perhap this was a musical group.  Regardless, the exciting concert was appreciated by young & old, alike.  Messiaen described his composition by stating "This work is a song of love."