Des Canyons Aux Etoiles

Olivier Messiaen must certainly have been the most idiosyncratic of late 20th century composers. Two preoccupations dominated his music -- his Catholicism, and his love of birds. These came together in the figure of St. Francis, to whom he dedicated his last major work. "Des Canyons aux Etoiles..." is his penultimate major work, commissioned for the U.S. Bicentennial. In searching for a topic, Messiaen discovered and fell in love with the canyonland of southern Utah. He visited the area in 1972 -- Cedar Breaks, Bryce Canyon, and Zion Park -- and began writing. This was his tribute -- the stars of the night sky in the desert, and the stripes formed by the layers of rock, reaching deep back into time, the stark beauty of the landscape, filled with birdsong, reflecting the glory of God.

"Des Canyons" is a most idiosyncratic work from a most idiosyncratic composer -- it is unclassifiable in terms of form, though piano concerto comes closer than most. There are 12 movements, and 4 featured instruments -- piano (Roger Muraro), horn (Jean-Jacques Justafre), xylorimba (Francis Petit), and glockenspiel (Renaud Muzzolini). The orchestra (Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, conducted by Myung-Whun Chung) is reduced to a large chamber ensemble, with woodwind, brass and percussion sections of orchestral size, but just 13 strings. The 4th and 9th movements are piano solos, playing the songs of the white-browed robin and the mockingbird, respectively. Messiaen was a serious amateur ornithologist who taped birdsong and transcribed it for use in his music -- other birds featured in "Des Canyons" are the Sahara bird, orchard oriole, canyon wren, American robin, Stellar's jay, and wood thrush. Much of the long, episodic work is dominated by piano and percussion. A wind machine is used periodically, adding to the unique texture.

This is, I believe, the third recording of "Des Canyons," following one on Sony with Salonen conducting, and one on Montaigne, with de Leeuw conducting. I haven't heard them, so I can't compare, but this 2001 recording is marvelous. The conductor knew the composer and worked with him on other recordings, so he is tuned into Messiaen's idiosyncratic vision. I find that "Des Canyons aux Etoiles..." weaves its spell most effectively late at night, by starlight...

Messiaen's Des canyons aux etoiles... is wonderful piece of music but is also a challenging one. You must be patience and attentive to every whisper, although I find myself swiftly hypnotized. Written for solo piano, horn, xylorimba, glockenspiel and large chamber ensemble the work conveys a feeling of spirituality and timeless. The work has twelve movements arranged into three sections comprised of five movements, two movements and five. Each part concluding with a visit to a specific site in Utah.

Myung-Whun Chung is maybe today greatest interpretations of Messiaen. The Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra has all the virtuosity and the talent to brings to life Messiaen's sound world. Roger Muraro (Piano) and Jean-Jacques Justafre (Horn) also makes an impressive listening in their parts. This is one of the essential releases of Messiaen this year and maybe ever.

Deutsche Grammophon beautifully printed booklet includes a number of Quotations under every movement title. The first movement titled "the Desert" bring a quote by the philosopher Ernest Hello which I found all the meanings of Messiaen's music. It says "He who is to be found in vast: one must discard everything in order to take the first steps towards him... Go deep into the Desert of Deserts..."

Buy this CD and get lost in the desert...

This recording comes very close to capturing the experience of hearing this work live. I heard it several years ago with Peter Serkin playing piano and haven't been the same since. Messiaen goes into a musical space that is truly sublime and absolutely overwhelming. I can only recommend that people listen to this work several times, and really, really listen. It will pay great rewards.

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