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An entirely different task for the Berlin Philharmonic this time. Simon Rattle conducting Eclairs Sur L'Au-Dela by Messiaen. One of the, if not the, last pieces composed by Messaien but instantly recognisable as treading the same path as most of his later works. The usual preoccupations are there, his religiosity, astronomy and of course bird song, although only the latter is clear from the music. The star of the show this time is raucous song of the Australian lyre bird. Much sparser orchestrations than the Berlin Phil have traditionally excelled at but still committed playing. As an aside, distinctly uninspiring cover art, you get the impression that EMI had to put it out because Rattle was enthusiastic but the marketing department's heart wasn't in the project.