More music by Olivier Messiaen
Olivier Messiaen
Thème et Variations for Violin and Piano
Thème et Variations for Violin and Piano
Olivier Messiaen
Noël, from Vingt Regard sur l'Enfant Jésus
Noël, from Vingt Regard sur l'Enfant Jésus
Olivier Messiaen
Regard de l'Esprit de Joie, from Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant-Jésus
Regard de l'Esprit de Joie, from Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant-Jésus
Olivier Messiaen
Prelude No. 1 Le Colombe
Prelude No. 1 Le Colombe
Olivier Messiaen
Regard de l'Esprit de Joie, from Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant-Jésus
Regard de l'Esprit de Joie, from Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant-Jésus
Performances by same musician(s)
Johannes Brahms
Sonata for Piano No. 1 in C Major, Op. 1
Sonata for Piano No. 1 in C Major, Op. 1

Classical Music | Piano Music
Olivier Messiaen
Première communion de la vierge, from Vingt Regards sur l’enfant Jésus Play
Recorded on 01/25/2005, uploaded on 01/25/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Première communion de la vierge, from Vingt Regards sur l'enfant Jésus Olivier Messiaen
Composer, organist, pianist and teacher, Messiaen is recognized as one of the most important musicians of the Twentieth Century. His music reflects his belief in God and his love of nature, especially of birds. Vingt Regards sur l'enfant Jésus was composed in 1944 and the first performance was given by his wife, Yvonne Loriod, in Paris in 1945.
Première communion de la vierge is constructed in 3 sections. The first part is a meditation in which Messiaen introduces the theme of God in the left hand and the sounds of birds in the right hand. In the middle part, we hear the same theme of God but with more rhythm; it is now a Magnificat. In the third section, the composer introduces bells and the heartbeat of a baby (represented by many F's in the lower register). This piece finishes as it started: in peace. Jean-François Latour
Courtesy of International Music Foundation.