A golden Turangalîla-Symphonie to celebrate the Brighton Philharmonic's centenary

The Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra
© Frances Marshall

Joanna MacGregor (conductor)

Joseph Havlat (piano)

Cynthia Millar (ondes martenot)

Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra

Ruth Rogers (leader)

2.45pm, Sunday 13 April 2025

Brighton Dome Concert Hall

★★★★

Olivier Messaien (1908-1992): Turangalîla-Symphonie

'The percussion section (today some nine players strong, in addition to celesta and keyed glockenspiel players) has featured prominently throughout the season; they gave an assured and confident response to Messaien’s heavy demands'.

'Here the orchestra delivered a truly massive sound, and although not every onset of the huge tutti chords was perfectly clean, they ended with lush waves of warmth and celebration'. 

Joanna MacGregor conducts the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra
© Frances Marshall

'Havlat was astonishing in the various piano cadenzas, thundering through the virtuosic flourishes in the fifth movement especially'.

'Millar was a constant secure presence, with the eery slides and otherworldly melodies emerging from the ondes Martenot'. 

'This was a triumph of ambition and commitment, and MacGregor, Millar, Havlat and all the BPO players deserve high praise for pulling off this vast endeavour to end their centenary season'.

Read my full review on Bachtrack here.