This album was recorded in the MC2 Auditorium in Grenoble, a venue known for its ideal reverberation time and intimate atmosphere, designed like the interior of a musical instrument.
Interpretation
Pianist Bertrand Chamayou chose to frame Messiaen's Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant-Jésus with homages to the composer by Anthony Cheung, Tōru Takemitsu, Tristan Murail, György Kurtág, and Jonathan Harvey.
Recording & Production
The recording sessions for this album took place across several days in December 2021 and February 2022 at the MC2 in Grenoble.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Messiaen once confessed that the 'misfortune of my life' was writing religious music for an audience that lacked faith.
Composition History
Olivier Messiaen composed his monumental work, Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant-Jésus, in a flash of brilliance over just a few months in 1944.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Olivier Messiaen's musical language in Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant-Jésus incorporates sacred roots, Gregorian chant, organ sounds, bird songs, exotic melodies, and ancient Greek and Hindu rhythms.
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