Messiaen’s Swollen Symphony

Imagine the unlikely combination of a large symphonic ensemble, a jazz band and a troupe of percussionists. Add to this fantasy a specialist on the ondes martenot, that eerily whistling electronic contraption.

Should all these musicians happen to perform together, the resultant cacophony might resemble the long-winded sounds emanating from Olivier Messiaen’s noisy “Turangali^la” Symphony (1948). Certainly, their combined music could not be any more colorful or disturbing than Messiaen’s nearly 80-minute aural canvas, as heard at a Los Angeles Philharmonic subscription concert Thursday night in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

After the success of Messiaen’s single but monumental opera, “St. Francoise d’Assise,” a decade ago, we tend to think of him as a deeply spiritual artist who also delved into a compelling intellectualism. What makes “Turangalila” controversial is that it doesn’t fit such thinking.

Begun while the composer was still in his 30s, the piece, in 10 separate movements, is secular to a fault. Skirting Messiaen’s characteristic nature sounds, it’s an urban piece aimed at a popular audience.

Great portions of the heavily rhythmic musical scenario resemble a swollen dance band at an orgy. The piece contains a few quiet places--the overlong sixth movement (“Garden of the Sleep of Love”) is one--but to call them reflective would be an exaggeration.

Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen led the assembled forces, including piano soloist Paul Crossley, ondes martenot player Cynthia Millar and a crew of extra percussionists, with great flair and his usual assurance. One can hardly imagine a more handsome re-creation of this kaleidoscopic and overstuffed work.

In contrast to this Dionysian activity, the program’s first half brought back the familiar Apollonian charms of Stravinsky’s Violin Concerto. Martin Chalifour, the Philharmonic’s principal concertmaster since last fall, swept all before him in a passionate, controlled traversal of the challenging central solo, articulating its soaring lyricism as well as its contained wit. Salonen and the orchestra collaborated in a manner that can only be described as loving.

* The Los Angeles Philharmonic plays this Stravinsky/Messiaen program again tonight at 8 in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. (213) 850-2000. Tickets: $6-$58.