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Attuned to Messiaen
Spiritual mystery and intellectual clarity may seem incompatible concepts, but for composer Olivier Messiaen, probing them was his life and his art. On our next Pipedreams program, we explore his music that many consider to be the most important written for the organ since Bach: his vivid tonal visions of the Eternal Church, his aural pageants descriptive of Christmas scenes, Pentecostal zeal, and Trinitarian principals. The composer himself, eight of his students and disciples, plus one determined and talented youth who is playing the entire cycle in 9-hour marathon concerts, honor his memory ten years after his death.
Pentecostal Tongues and Serene Alleluias sound in praise of a higher power while a remarkable man sees colors in sound and reveals his profound faith in art. Enter a surprisingly satisfying world. We are Attuned to Messiaen. . .this week on Pipedreams.
Program Broadcast dates:
- April 29, 2002
Music played in the program
OLIVIER MESSIAEN: Diptyque (1929) –Gillian Weir 1928-93 Frobenius/Århus Cathedral, Denmark) Collins Classics 7CD-70312
MESSIAEN: Apparition de l'Eglise Eternelle (1931) -Louis Thiry (1959 Metzler/St. Peter's Cathedral, Geneva, Switzerland) Calliope CD-9928
MESSIAEN: Serene Alleluias of a Soul Desiring Heaven, fr L'Ascension (1934) -Naji Hakim (1871 Cavaillé-Coll/Trinity Church, Paris) Jade CD-29491
MESSIAEN: The Tongues of Fire, fr Messe de la Pentecote (1950) -Erik Boström (1949 Marcussen/Oscar Church, Stockholm) Proprius CD-9010
MESSIAEN: Piece en Trio (No. 1) and The Eyes in the Wheels, fr Livre d'Orgue (1951) –Rudolf Innig (1994 Fischer & Krämer/St. Bonifacius Church, Lingen, Germany) Dabringhaus & Grimm CD-317.0622
MESSIAEN: God is Simple, fr Meditations sur le Mystere de la Sainte Trinité (1969) -Charles Tompkins (1984 Casavant/1st Baptist Church, Greenville, SC) Pro Organo CD-7136 (www.zarex.com; 800-336-2224)
MESSIAEN: The Raised and the Light of Life, fr Livre du Saint Sacrement (1986) -Almut Rössler (1980 Eisenbarth/Passau Cathedral) Motette CD-11061
MESSIAEN: Le Banquet Celeste (1926); Force and Agility of the Glorified Bodies, fr Les Corps Glorieux (1939) -Paul Jacobs (1965 Moeller/National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC) American Public Media tape (recorded 2/22/02)
MESSIAEN: God Among Us, fr La Nativité du Seigneur (1935) -Olivier Messiaen & Jennifer Bate (1871 Cavaille-Coll/Trinity Church, Paris) EMI Classics CD-67400; Jade Editions CD-29497
No composer since Bach more completely merged his artistic and spiritual life in composed organ music than did Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992). Our performances feature numerous present-day Messiaen advocates, several former pupils and disciples, and the composer himself.
In commemoration this year of the 10th anniversary of Messiaen's death, the superb young American organist Paul Jacobs is playing the complete works six times in marathon recitals in various cities around the United States. The final two performances take place on May 9 in Minneapolis, MN (Basilica of St. Mary, from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.) and June 14/15 in Seattle, WA (Cathedral of Saint James, 7:45 p.m. to midnight both nights).
Contact the Organ Historical Society (www.ohscatalog.org /804-353-9226) or the Organ Literature Foundation (organlitfnd@juno.com /781-848-1388) for more information concerning available CDs or this music.