Search - Olivier Messiaen, Kent Nagano, Orchestre National de France :: Olivier Messiaen: Réveil des Oiseaux; Trois Petites Liturgies de la Présence Divine

An Excellent Introduction to Messiaen

Judd Parkin | Los Angeles, California USA | 01/22/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Conductor Kent Nagano has emerged in recent years as one of the foremost interpreters of the works of Olivier Messiaen. This CD, released shortly before Nagano's superb rendition of Messiaen's lone opera "Saint Francois d'Assise", shows two distinct sides of the composer's work. The first piece on the CD, "Reveil des oiseaux", is one of Messiaen's earliest "ornithological" works. In it, the various instruments of the orchestra portray the distinctive voices of literally dozens of birds. The ensemble playing, led by the composer's second wife Yvonne Loriod on piano, is first-rate. The second piece is "Trois petites liturgies" is one of the great mystical works in the Messiaen canon. Though some of the choral work in this selection is not as crisp as one might desire, the overall impact is powerful and moving. For Messiaen fans, this is essential listening; for those looking for an introduction to the composer's work, this is an excellent place to start."