New York Philharmonic Presents Week-Long Messiaen Program, March 7-13

Beginning March 7-13, the New York Philharmonic will present a week-long program of everything by the French master composer Olivier Messiaen. Shows will take place everywhere from Brooklyn all the way to the Metropolitan Museum's Temple of Dendur.

On the bill for the week are barrages of concerts, starting with a magnificent CONTACT! premiere at National Sawdust on March 7 at 7:30 p.m. As the website reveals, and as is protocol for these type of concerts-interviews, the presentation will focus on Messiaen's "singular voice" and his "impact on generations of composers to follow."

Following on the 9th is a piano recital featuring the astounding Eric Huebner at the Good Shepherd-Faith Presbyterian Church. This concert will begin that Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

Then to close out the week is a special concert at David Geffen Hall starting March 10 and continuing through March 12. The program will feature none other than the seminal composition Turngalîla-symphonie from Messiaen.

Seats are still available for that New York Phil concert, too. A resounding interpretation of Messiaen's Turngalîla-symphonie, the concert will feature Yuja Wang on piano, Valérie Hartmann-Claverie on the ondes martenot with Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting, the evening is expected to be riveting.

And according to the program:

"'Superhuman, overflowing, dazzling and abandoned.' So said Messiaen of his surreal exploration of romantic love and death. Composer-in-Residence Esa-Pekka Salonen, conducting these concerts, loves its 'outrageous, limitless, free nature ... sweet melodies spiced with the otherworldly sound of the ondes martenot, Southern Indian rhythms ... birdsong and outrageous dances.'"

So be sure to pick up your tickets to each event listed above as tickets for the week are sure to sell out fast.

And so with that, experience Messiaen below with a clip for the time being.