Olivier Messiaen's majestic composition, Des Canyons aux étoiles, is a masterpiece of avant-garde and classical music. Released on 1 March 2015 by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, this album is a testament to Messiaen's innovative and visionary approach to music. Spanning 1 hour and 40 minutes, the album is a sprawling, epic work that takes the listener on a journey through a vast sonic landscape.
The tracklist is a veritable odyssey, with each movement evoking a distinct sense of place and atmosphere. From the desert landscapes of 'Le désert' to the celestial vistas of 'Ce qui est écrit sur les étoiles…', Messiaen's music is a rich tapestry of sound and colour. The album's twelve movements are a showcase for the composer's unique blend of birdsong, instrumental timbres, and poetic inspiration, with pieces like 'Les Orioles' and 'Le Cossyphe d'Heuglin' featuring intricate, avian-inspired melodies.
Throughout the album, Messiaen's music is characterised by its sense of wonder, its awe-inspired response to the natural world. From the majestic grandeur of 'Cedar Breaks et le Don de Crainte' to the intimate, songlike beauty of 'La grive des bois', each movement is a testament to the composer's boundless imagination and creative genius. With Des Canyons aux étoiles, Olivier Messiaen has created a work of profound beauty and depth, an album that is sure to inspire and captivate all who hear it.
2015 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd2015 LPO
Tracks
Des canyons aux étoiles: I. Le désertOlivier Messiaen, Christoph Eschenbach, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Tzimon Barto, John Ryan, Erika Öhman, andrew barclay
Des canyons aux étoiles: II. Les OriolesOlivier Messiaen, Christoph Eschenbach, andrew barclay, John Ryan, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Tzimon Barto, Erika Öhman
Des canyons aux étoiles: III. Ce qui est écrit sur les étoiles…Olivier Messiaen, Christoph Eschenbach, John Ryan, Erika Öhman, andrew barclay, Tzimon Barto, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Des canyons aux étoiles: IV. Le Cossyphe d'HeuglinOlivier Messiaen, Christoph Eschenbach, Tzimon Barto, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Des canyons aux étoiles: V. Cedar Breaks et le Don de CrainteOlivier Messiaen, Christoph Eschenbach, John Ryan, Erika Öhman, andrew barclay, Tzimon Barto, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Des canyons aux étoiles: VI. Appel interstellaireOlivier Messiaen, Christoph Eschenbach, John Ryan, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Des canyons aux étoiles: VII. Bryce Canyon et les rochers rouge-orangeOlivier Messiaen, Christoph Eschenbach, John Ryan, Erika Öhman, andrew barclay, Tzimon Barto, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Des canyons aux étoiles: VIII. Les ressuscités et le chant de l'étoile AldébaranOlivier Messiaen, Christoph Eschenbach, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Tzimon Barto, John Ryan, Erika Öhman, andrew barclay
Des canyons aux étoiles: IX. Le moqueur polyglotteOlivier Messiaen, Christoph Eschenbach, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Tzimon Barto
Des canyons aux étoiles: X. La grive des boisOlivier Messiaen, Christoph Eschenbach, John Ryan, Erika Öhman, andrew barclay, Tzimon Barto, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Des canyons aux étoiles: XI. Omao, Leiothrix, Elepaio, ShamaOlivier Messiaen, Christoph Eschenbach, John Ryan, Erika Öhman, andrew barclay, Tzimon Barto, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Des canyons aux étoiles: XII. Zion Park et la Cité CélesteOlivier Messiaen, Christoph Eschenbach, Tzimon Barto, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Erika Öhman, andrew barclay, John Ryan
Olivier Messiaen, born in Avignon in 1908, was a titan of 20th-century music, renowned as a composer, organist, and teacher. His compositions are distinguished by a deep Catholic faith and a unique fascination with birdsong, which he studied extensively as an ornithologist. Messiaen's music is a blend of avant-garde and classical elements, often incorporating exotic rhythms and harmonies inspired by his love for nature and his spiritual beliefs. His influence on modern music is immense, and his works for organ are particularly celebrated. Messiaen passed away in Paris in 1992, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire musicians and scholars worldwide.
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Olivier Messiaen
