Olivier Messiaen, born in 1908, had been the chief organist at the church of La Trinité in Paris for nine years by 1939.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Messiaen's music often combines improvisational mastery with strictly thought-out composition, inviting listeners to engage with both intuition and intellect.
Composition History
Messiaen's organ cycle, Les Corps glorieux, was composed shortly before the Second World War in 1939.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Messiaen considered the number seven to symbolize perfection, stating, "Seven is the number of perfection: the six days of the creation were sanctified by the divine Sabbath."
Recording & Production
The organ used for this recording, built by Grönlunds Orgelbyggeri, had its intonation changed at the suggestion of Hans-Ola Ericsson, the performer, to better suit Messiaen's music.
Compositional Technique
Messiaen's musical language in Les Corps glorieux is characterized by the frequent use of the augmented fourth (tritone), descending sixth, and chromaticism.
Album & Artwork
The album cover features illustrations from Olof Rudbeck's bird book, a classic work from 1693 that remained unpublished until 1985, chosen to reflect Messiaen's love of birds.
You might also enjoy...
LANGLAIS: Suite Medievale / Cinq Meditations sur l'Apocalypse
Virtuoso Organ Music
Messiaen: Livre du Saint Sacrement
Dupré: Complete Organ Works Vol. 8
Reger, M.: Organ Works, Vol. 7
Dupre: Works for Organ, Vol. 13
Zungen aus Feuer
Persichetti: Organ Music
Langlais: Complete Organ Works, Volume IV
Franck & Vierne: First and Last
Alkan, C.-V.: 13 Prieres / Petits Preludes Sur Le 8 Gammes Du Plain-Chant / Impromptu Sur Le Choral De Luther
