Search - Olivier Messiaen, Angela Hewitt :: Angela Hewitt plays Messiaen

Messiaen (1908-1992) was the greatest French composer after Debussy, bringing French music into the modern era. He was influenced by Debussy early on. Debussy can be heard in the Preludes (of 1928-29), but only for the gentleness Messiaen imparts to the music as well as the gentleness with which the fingers touch the keys. Very Debussian. More assertive and more representative of Messian's mature style is the freely ranging tonalities of 4 Études de Rythme (only two of the four are represented here). The excerpts from 20 regards sur l'enfant Jésus (1944) is more contemplative. It's full restoration takes two hours to play! -- Paul Cook