By Chang Tou Liang & Mark Rochester, Dec 17, 2017, The Straight Times

BEST in CLASSICAL MUSIC:

Messiaen Turangalila, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Esplanade Concert Hall, April 1

It took the Singapore Symphony Orchestra some 23 years to perform Olivier Messiaen's massive 10-movement, 75-minute-long Turangalila Symphony again, but it was well worth the wait.

The French composer's grand conception of universal love, encompassing sacred, profane and carnal varieties, with Andreas Haefliger (piano), Cynthia Millar (Ondes Martenot) and more than 100 musicians (including 10 percussionists) led by Shui Lan proved to be the year's most impressive sonic spectacular.