Messiaen Des canyons aux étoiles

Christoph Eschenbach conductor
Tzimon Barto piano
John Ryan horn

In 1974, 18 years before his death, Olivier Messiaen gave birth to one of the most extraordinary musical creations of the last century. Des canyons aux étoiles (From the Canyons to the Stars) is an orchestral depiction of the vastness of space. Messiaen’s hallmarks are here: intoxicating colours, vivid images of nature, and beguiling rhythms imported from Asian traditions. But this piece went further. To his huge orchestra with horn and piano soloists the composer added an array of percussion including chimes, thunder sheet, wind machine and even sand machine. Stark but monumental, Des canyons aux étoiles is a live music experience not to be missed.

Please note there will be no interval during this performance.

Free pre-concert event | 6.00pm – 6.45pm | Royal Festival Hall
Colour and Eternity – the music of Olivier Messiaen
Exploring the rich sound world of Oliver Messiaen, this talk delves into his musical language, where birdsong, faith and colour collide to produce one of the most original musical voices in the 20th century. A new piano miniature inspired by Des canyons aux étoiles will also be performed. This talk forms part of the Royal Philharmonic Society Bicentenary Celebrations, 1813–2013.

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Hear it first!
Select a link below to listen to selected movements from this concert (Flash Player opens in a new window).

Messiaen: Des canyons aux etoiles … - I. Le desert
Messiaen: Des canyons aux etoiles … - II. Les orioles
Messiaen: Des canyons aux etoiles … - IV. Le cossyphe d'Heuglin
Messiaen: Des canyons aux etoiles … - IX. Le moqueur polyglotte
Messiaen: Des canyons aux etoiles … - XI. Omao, Leiothrix, Elepaio, Shama

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