The Odd Couple

[qatsi]

Prom 6 was definitely a concert of two halves. The BBC Symphony Orchestra and conductor Sakari Oramo began with Gershwin's An American in Paris, a jazzy, easy-listening piece which was light and enjoyable. To be honest it doesn't make me think of Paris, but it does of America - and of Tom and Jerry. During the interval, not only did we have the obligatory cry of Heave-Ho! as the piano was manoeuvred to the front of the stage, but also celesta, keyed glockenspiel and ondes Martenot. In the second half, a rather less-easy-listening piece: Messiaen's Turangalîla Symphony, with Angela Hewitt on the piano and Cynthia Millar on the ondes Maretnot. As with Galaxy Quest, it was very exciting to see a master at the controls: in the second row of the arena the early electronic instrument was loud, but at least I could see when to expect sound. It certainly produced quite a range of sounds, from ethereal Theremin-like infusions to revving motorbike basses. I've never been quite sure what to make of Messiaen's music: it's chaotic and dissonant, but it does have a strange and driving energy, and there were some tuneful sections as well as recurrent and menacing brass chorales. Though I can't find a reference to it in the programme notes, there's clearly a section not quite half-way in that either quotes Gershwin's piece, or that shares with it a common origin, and I probably wouldn't have noticed that but for this pairing; it makes me wonder whether there are references to other works in there.