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:: Piano Music of Olivier Messiaen

OLIVIER MESSIAEN (1908-1992)

Hyperion Records CDA 67054

In this disc, Angela Hewitt shows her affinity for French piano music, presenting the early Préludes of Olivier Messiaen, along with several of his Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant-Jésus and Île de feu 1 and 2.

Rarely, if ever, can Messiaen's piano music have been played with such refinement'
(Classic CD)

'A revelation' (The Scotsman)

Buy this CD online


    Préludes 1928/9

  1. No 1 La colombe [2'22]

  2. No 2 Chant d'extase dans un paysage triste [7'17]

  3. No 3 Le nombre léger [2'06]

  4. No 4 Instants défunts [5'01]

  5. No 5 Les sons impalpables du rêve... [5'08]

  6. No 6 Cloches d'angoisse et larmes d'adieu [10'13]

  7. No 7 Plainte calme [2'55]

  8. No 8 Un reflet dans le vent... [5'21]


    9. from Quatre Études de rythme 1950


  9. No 1 Île de feu 1 [2'29]

  10. No 4 Île de feu 2 [4'41]


    11. from Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant-Jésus 1944


  11. No 4 Regard de la Vierge [5'57]

    12. Innocence et tendresse ... la femme de la Pureté, la femme du Magnificat, la Vierge regarde son enfant ...
  12. No 15 Le Baiser de l'Enfant-Jésus [12'30]

    13. À chaque communion, l'Enfant-Jésus dort avec nous près de la porte; puis il l'ouvre sur le jardin et se précipite à toute lumière pour nous embrasser ...
  13. No 10 Regard de l'Esprit de Joie [9'32]

    14. Danse véhémente, ton ivre des cors, transport du Saint-Esprit ... la joie d'amour du Dieu bienhereux dans l'âme de Jésus-Christ
On this recording, Angela Hewitt presents not only her favourite works by Messiaen, but also gives the listener an idea of the development of his writing - all on a single disc.

The music of Olivier Messiaen immediately attracts our attention with its rhythm, variety of colour, technical brilliance, energy, joy, and spirituality. Audiences are rarely indifferent to it, and for many it has a very powerful effect.

The Préludes were written when Messiaen was still a student at the Paris Conservatoire, and are remarkable pieces for one so young.

Recorded in the Reitstadel, Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz, Germany, on 21-23 January 1998

Buy this record at Hyperion: http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/details/67054.asp

For online sales in Canada, please go to: http://www.canadacd.ca/en/search/?productNumber=CDA67054&page=1&searchID=56609&resultsPerPage=25

available audio excerpts from this recording

Préludes - 7 Plainte calme

Préludes - 8 Un reflet dans le vent

Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant-Jésus - No. 10 Regard de 'Esprit de J


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