Hindu philosophy is the guiding thread through this Prom of music by one of the 20th century’s undisputed masters and one of its neglected mavericks.

Messiaen’s Turangalîla Symphony translates the ‘curious, exquisite, unexpected melodic contours’ of the Hindu tradition for Western ears.

John Foulds’s music was heavily influenced by his spiritual fascination with India; his style shifts in his Three Mantras from the rhythmic violence of Stravinsky to meditative loveliness and the sleek modernism of Ravel.

Foulds
Three Mantras 26’

interval

Messiaen
Turangalîla Symphony 75’

Steven Osborne piano
Valerie Hartmann-Claverie ondes martenot
London Symphony Chorus (women’s voices)
BBC Philharmonic
Juanjo Mena conductor