Kent Nagano conducts Messiaen's Turangalîla Symphony in Zurich after 18-year hiatus

The Tonhalle Orchestra in Zurich presented Olivier Messiaen's Turangalîla Symphony twice this week, marking its first performance in the orchestra's concerts since 18 years ago. Conducted by Kent Nagano, a close friend and artistic protégé of Messiaen, the 1949 work features ten movements and spans 85 minutes, composed as a vibrant contrast to the post-World War II ruins of 1945. The symphony includes the rare ondes Martenot, an early electronic instrument invented by Maurice Martenot in 1928, played here by Parisian expert Nathalie Forget using a historical setup of five colorful components. Nagano's interpretation emphasized controlled artistry over excess, with pianist Yury Favorin tackling the demanding solo part effortlessly. Both concerts attracted notably large audiences, including many younger attendees, demonstrating the Tonhalle's ability to draw new crowds by venturing beyond standard repertoire. The ondes Martenot, historically used by Swiss composer Arthur Honegger in 1938 for his oratorio Jeanne d'Arc au bûcher and later in film scores like Ghostbusters, was integrated subtly by Forget to avoid clichéd effects. Messiaen, a synesthete who perceived sounds as colors, created the piece as an explosion of rhythms and hues, with Nagano ensuring it remained a refined work of art music. The performances highlighted the instrument's unique timbres, avoiding the kitschy associations its glissandi have acquired in animation and advertising.