Olivier
Messiaen's Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant
Jésus (20 Contemplations of the Infant Jesus) are a towering specimen of 20th
century pianism. The full work lasts more than two hours on those rare
occasions when it is performed in its entirety. Written in 1944 and premiered
the following year by Messiaen's wife Yvonne Loriod, the Vingt Regards plunge into the depths of Messiaen's Christian faith;
the virtuosic fast movements prove how primal and joyful Messiaen's religion
was to him, and the slow movements touch the sublime in ways that manage a
steadfast selflessness. Regard de l'Esprit de joie (Contemplation of the Joyful Spirit)is midway through the cycle. Alessandro Taverna
Classical Music | Piano Music
Olivier Messiaen
Regard de l'Esprit de Joie, from Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant-Jésus Play
Recorded on 12/09/2009, uploaded on 03/11/2010
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Regard de l'Esprit de joie Messiaen
Olivier Messiaen's Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant Jésus (20 Contemplations of the Infant Jesus) are a towering specimen of 20th century pianism. The full work lasts more than two hours on those rare occasions when it is performed in its entirety. Written in 1944 and premiered the following year by Messiaen's wife Yvonne Loriod, the Vingt Regards plunge into the depths of Messiaen's Christian faith; the virtuosic fast movements prove how primal and joyful Messiaen's religion was to him, and the slow movements touch the sublime in ways that manage a steadfast selflessness. Regard de l'Esprit de joie (Contemplation of the Joyful Spirit)is midway through the cycle. Alessandro Taverna
More music by Olivier Messiaen
Les deux guerriers, from Poèmes pour Mi
Le collier, from Poèmes pour Mi
Première communion de la vierge, from Vingt Regards sur l’enfant Jésus
Regard de l'Esprit de Joie, from Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant-Jésus
Regard de la parole toute puissante, from Vingt Regard sur l'Enfant Jésus
Thème et Variations for Violin and Piano
Thème et Variations for Violin and Piano
Noël, from Vingt Regard sur l'Enfant Jésus
Regard de première communion de la Vierge, from Vingt Regard sur l'Enfant Jésus
Action de grâces, from Poèmes pour Mi
Performances by same musician(s)
Presto Passionato in g minor, Op. 22a
Fantasy in f-sharp minor, Op. 28 (Scottish Sonata)
Tarantelle di bravura, S 386
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