Turangalîla is a difficult score, and to record it live is risky. Even when the orchestra is the Berlin Philharmonic? Yes, since the work is very far from the centre of their repertoire. Whether despite or because of that risk this is a splendidly exciting performance; more surprisingly it's also for the most part a very accurate and detailed one.
The textures and colours of the third movement are finely balanced, as they are even in the headlong exuberance of its successor. Although the precision of the seventh seems to understate its balefulness the complex textures and superimposed rhythms of the ninth are outstandingly clear and fascinating. The soloists are admirable; the extremes of the piano part, in particular, are just what Aimard is good at. There are one or two imprecisions of balance, but this is among the two or three best accounts of Turangalîla available.

I know, I know - this is exactly the sort of version a critic would choose, but the combination of the Berlin Philharmonic on top form and the expert fingers of Pierre Laurent-Aimard is irresistible. The deep, resonant recorded sound also helps.