A committed Catholic all his life, Olivier Messiaen
(1908-1992) wove a sound world from threads attached to spiritual
and natural sources. His fascination for birdsong led to some
of his most exciting, daring works, just as his magnum opus based
on St. Francis might be the greatest opera inspired by Catholic
theology. Messiaen's music bursts with color and rhythmic energy.
Here
are his essential recordings.
Our recommendations for the best CD's from the best
artists.
Whether you're thinking of exploring an unfamiliar style or already
building a focused collection, our Essentials pages can streamline
your musical search. From alternative music to zydeco, bebop to
hip-hop, the Essentials will lead you to the hundreds of artists
and thousands of recordings that matter.
