Messiaen, Olivier. (1908–1992). Signed Letter about his Turangalîla-Symphonie.
Typed letter, signed "Olivier Messiaen" to Geneviève Leroy at the Société des Auteurs et Compositeurs Dramatiques [SACD], Paris, 24/7/1968. 1 page, in French. An important letter about a ballet presentation of his “Turangalîla-Symphonie."
Translated in full:
"Dear Madam, I am returning your bulletins herewith. I have written the essentials on them, without signing, because I am missing some elements, notably the share of rights of the publisher Durand et Cie (to whom I am writing in this same letter).
A few additional details: "Turangalîla-Symphonie" was written in 1946-47-48. The work was declared to SACEM for a duration of one and a half hours in 1948. It has been published, orchestral score and orchestral material, since 1948 by the house of Durand et Cie, 4 place de la Madeleine Paris 8e.
The work has been performed in its symphonic form since its creation in Boston (USA) on 2.12.1948, more than 100 times, in France and abroad.
The word "Symphonie" was removed for its representation as a ballet, but it's the same work (and the same duration: 1h30'). The "Turangalîla-Symphonie" has 10 movements, the ballet "Turangalîla" also has 10 tableaux.
I gave the choreographer Roland Petit some indications of movements and colors that he freely interpreted. But there is no argument. The sets are by the painter Max Ernst.
The first performance of the ballet took place at the Opéra de Paris on June 21, 1968. Other performances at the Opéra de Paris: June 22-23-26-28, 1968, and July 3-17-19, 1968. I attended all these performances.
There was another on July 23 which took place in my absence. In all: so far 9 performances.
Awaiting your news, I beg you to believe, dear Madam, in the expression of my most deeply devoted sentiments."
The Turangalîla-symphonie is the only symphony by Messiaen and was written for an orchestra of large forces from 1946 to 1948 on a commission by Serge Koussevitzky for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, with two soloists playing piano and ondes Martenot. Along with the Quatuor pour la fin du temps, the symphony is one of the composer's most notable works. While most of Messiaen's compositions are religious in inspiration, at the time of writing the symphony the composer was fascinated by the myth of Tristan and Iseult and Turangalîla forms the central work in his trilogy of compositions concerned with the themes of romantic love and death. It is widely considered one of the greatest musical compositions of the twentieth century, being described by its commissioner as 'the most important piece of classical music ever written since Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring'. A typical performance runs around 80 minutes in length. Messiaen once summarised the entire symphony as being "a love song; a hymn to joy."
Messiaen, Olivier. (1908–1992). Signed Letter about his Turangalîla-Symphonie.
Typed letter, signed "Olivier Messiaen" to Geneviève Leroy at the Société des Auteurs et Compositeurs Dramatiques [SACD], Paris, 24/7/1968. 1 page, in French. An important letter about a ballet presentation of his “Turangalîla-Symphonie."
Translated in full:
"Dear Madam, I am returning your bulletins herewith. I have written the essentials on them, without signing, because I am missing some elements, notably the share of rights of the publisher Durand et Cie (to whom I am writing in this same letter).
A few additional details: "Turangalîla-Symphonie" was written in 1946-47-48. The work was declared to SACEM for a duration of one and a half hours in 1948. It has been published, orchestral score and orchestral material, since 1948 by the house of Durand et Cie, 4 place de la Madeleine Paris 8e.
The work has been performed in its symphonic form since its creation in Boston (USA) on 2.12.1948, more than 100 times, in France and abroad.
The word "Symphonie" was removed for its representation as a ballet, but it's the same work (and the same duration: 1h30'). The "Turangalîla-Symphonie" has 10 movements, the ballet "Turangalîla" also has 10 tableaux.
I gave the choreographer Roland Petit some indications of movements and colors that he freely interpreted. But there is no argument. The sets are by the painter Max Ernst.
The first performance of the ballet took place at the Opéra de Paris on June 21, 1968. Other performances at the Opéra de Paris: June 22-23-26-28, 1968, and July 3-17-19, 1968. I attended all these performances.
There was another on July 23 which took place in my absence. In all: so far 9 performances.
Awaiting your news, I beg you to believe, dear Madam, in the expression of my most deeply devoted sentiments."
The Turangalîla-symphonie is the only symphony by Messiaen and was written for an orchestra of large forces from 1946 to 1948 on a commission by Serge Koussevitzky for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, with two soloists playing piano and ondes Martenot. Along with the Quatuor pour la fin du temps, the symphony is one of the composer's most notable works. While most of Messiaen's compositions are religious in inspiration, at the time of writing the symphony the composer was fascinated by the myth of Tristan and Iseult and Turangalîla forms the central work in his trilogy of compositions concerned with the themes of romantic love and death. It is widely considered one of the greatest musical compositions of the twentieth century, being described by its commissioner as 'the most important piece of classical music ever written since Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring'. A typical performance runs around 80 minutes in length. Messiaen once summarised the entire symphony as being "a love song; a hymn to joy."