Messiaen: 20 Regards sur l'enfant-Jésus, I/27 (Live)
2/12/2021, 20 Tracks, 2:12:19
Featuring
Pi-hsien Chen
Olivier Messiaen
Did you know?
1/7
Compositional Technique
Messiaen associated specific colors with the chord theme in 'Vingt Regards', describing it as 'steel grey-blue, thirsty with red and bright orange, a violet mauve with brown dots and surrounded by a bluish purple'.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Messiaen described himself as a lonely person because no one shared his main passions: deep Catholicism, love of birdsong, and color associations (synaesthesia) with musical sounds.
Performer Biography
Pi-hsien Chen is recognized as a leading interpreter of both contemporary and classical piano music, often juxtaposing historical and new compositions in her recordings.
Composition History
Olivier Messiaen composed the piano cycle 'Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant-Jésus' during World War II, between March and September 1944.
Compositional Technique
Messiaen highlighted three main musical themes in 'Vingt Regards': one for God the Father (quiet chords), one for the star and the cross (unison melodies), and a chord progression without semantic attribution.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded live on July 4, 2005, during the 'Romanischer Sommer Köln' Festival in the former church of St. Cäcilien, which now houses the Museum Schnütgen of Christian Art.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Messiaen's Christian faith was a crucial source for his works; he dedicated a large part of his compositions to Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh.
