Search - Messiaen, Cambreling, Swr So Baden-Baden :: Orchestral Music

La Transfiguration de Notre-Seigneur, Jésus-Christ is a profoundly religious work even for the perennially mystical Olivier Messiaen. "Various aspects of the Mystery of the Transfiguration of Christ are presented One after the other by a mosaic made up of Latin texts intentionally selected by the musician to serve as a basis for his meditations" wrote Messiaen. The work is divided into two septenaria, that is to say, two groups of seven pieces. Each reading of fragments from the Gospel on the subject of transfiguration is followed by two pieces which go into the main ideas in more detail. Each septenarium ends with a chorale." The program is rounded out with Messiaen?s demanding bird-song fantasia Réveil des Oiseaux, in a priceless performance by the work?s dedicatee (and Messiaen?s wife) Yvonne Loriod. According to the composer, "this score consists purely of birdsong. All were heard in the forest and are authentic. The instrumentalists should attempt to reproduce the calls and the timbre of the birds as closely as possible." "Sylvain Cambreling leads orchestra, choir and soloists admirably through the demanding score, close to Messiaen?s vision. He feels each word and climbs with the listener up the Mountain of Transfuguration to share their astonishment at the Glory of God?s presence!" ? Klassik Heute.com, Patrick Beck